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Former Everton defender Michael Ball has told Football FanCast in an exclusive interview that Michael Keane and Yerry Mina’s lack of pace is causing his old side issues.

The Toffees have a decent defensive record in the Premier League this season and the £30m Keane and £27m Mina have been at the heart of that.

The two central defenders have both been regulars at the back under manager Carlo Ancelotti, trying to build a wall to aid Everton’s push for European football.

Ball, however, has his concerns with the central defensive partnership, believing it to be too slow. Speaking exclusively to FFC about the pairing, the retired full-back said:

“I think Everton’s failures this season is how deep we have played because of the lack of pace of Michael Keane and Yerry Mina.

They play very, very deep, which is ok to defend as a unit, but it makes it difficult for our midfield. And our lack of legs in midfield, other opposition teams can bully us in those areas and cause us a lot of problems.

“We’ve had to play so deep because of the lack of pace.”

If the above is a concern that Ancelotti also shares, then the Italian could look to address it by using the transfer market this summer.

According to the reliable Fabrizio Romano, signing a new centre-back before the start of next season is currently a priority for the Merseyside club.

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Arsenal were underwhelming in their 2-1 win over Premier League strugglers Huddersfield Town on Saturday. Goals from Alex Iwobi and Alexandre Lacazette proved enough to give the Gunners the victory but the performance from Unai Emery’s side left plenty to be desired.

Despite having opened the scoring, Iwobi was one of the Arsenal players who struggled to win over the travelling crowd, as he was jeered off by some of his own fans when he was substituted in the 88th minute.

The chalkboard

The response that Iwobi’s performance received from a section of the Arsenal support was unfair. The 22-year-old had in fact produced a hard-working, persistent display in trying circumstances. Whilst there was also a touch of fortune about his goal, his movement and technique was laudable.

The 21-cap Nigeria international’s game was far from perfect. He should certainly have had a second goal as he squandered a very presentable chance. However, the function he serves in Emery’s team is a vital one, the importance of which is seemingly going overlooked by some.

Watch the video below to see the most insane overhead kick you will see this week…

Credit where it’s due

Iwobi has become a favourite of Emery’s since the Spaniard’s appointment. The forward has been a regular starter this season, having made 15 starts in the Premier League from a total of 23 appearances. In that time he has registered three goals and five assists – a respectable return – as per Transfermarkt’s stats.

However, Iwobi’s main function in the side is as a ball-carrier. No one else in the Arsenal squad has the combination of power, pace, flair and dribbling ability that Iwobi possesses. He is therefore often tasked with shuttling possession out of the defensive third and into the attacking one. 

It is important to note that his role is not to replace Mesut Ozil as an arch creator, nor Alexis Sanchez as a goalscoring wide man – even if this what the Arsenal fans want, or have come to expect from attacking players at the Emirates Stadium.

The young winger still needs to improve his game in many areas, but in this tremendously difficult role he is generally doing a fine job for the Gunners. He is a player who deserves credit for what he is, not criticism for what he isn’t. 

This summer will be an almighty one for Celtic and everyone associated with the Bhoys.

They are facing a mass exodus of players while the Hoops are still yet to announce a new manager or director of football.

Given the upheaval that could happen, it beggars belief that they haven’t brought in a new boss yet.

Odsonne Edouard and Kristoffer Ajer look set to leave while a number of their loan players will presumably head back to their parent clubs.

With Diego Laxalt and Jonjoe Kenny faltering, their futures are perhaps more uncertain than Mohamed Elyounoussi’s.

At times this term, the Norwegian has been a shining light. He is their second top scorer on 17 strikes but he has a horrible tendency to blow hot and cold. If anyone defined inconsistency in the Celtic side, it would be him.

A £5m permanent fee has been touted for his services but it would be a surprise if the new hierarchy at Celtic took that offer up.

After all, his performances in the last two games have shown he isn’t worth splashing the cash on. The winger missed a glaring opportunity in the Old Firm and then coasted through their 1-1 draw with Aberdeen without doing much.

Elyounoussi did provide a peach of a delivery for Leigh Griffith’s last gasp equaliser but in the 92 minutes that fell before that, he was abject and on the periphery of proceedings.

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He surrendered possession a considerable 21 times throughout the contest; a number that only Florian Kamberi on the opposition could usurp.

It was a pretty average night for the Southampton loanee who found a target with just 50% of his crosses and failed to provide Celtic with the spark required to win the game.

Of course, Odsonne Edouard was guilty of missing several opportunities but those chances were mainly provided courtesy of Jonjoe Kenny and David Turnbull.

As far as his goalscoring threat goes, Elyounoussi didn’t provide much either. He managed three shots, two of which were blocked while the other one was off target.

It’s highly unlikely that the Norway international will be at Paradise next term, so with that in mind, John Kennedy simply has to axe him from the starting XI.

When the Hoops have such a promising young talent in Karamoko Dembele on the bench, they must unleash him more often; it might just sway contract negotiations.

AND in other news, Major twist may be on the cards in Celtic manager hunt, it’s a hammer blow for Desmond …

For the past four months, Leicester City have clearly been on the lookout for a midfielder.

Foxes manager Brendan Rodgers expressed his intentions to bring in a midfield player in the January transfer window but a move did not materialise, whilst the East Midlanders have recently been linked with the likes of Yves Bissouma, Tomasso Pobega and Boubakary Soumare ahead of potential summer transfers.

However, it might have all been so different had Leicester secured the signature of Weston McKennie under a year ago.

It was reported during the summer 2020 transfer window that the Foxes were interested in the services of the American and were vying with Premier League rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers for his signature. Again, a switch did not come to fruition, the then-Schalke 04 man surprisingly signing for Juventus instead.

He has gone on to have an overwhelmingly positive impact in Turin since his arrival. At the time of writing McKennie, rated at £22.5m by Transfermarkt, has made 37 appearances in all competitions for Juve, scoring six goals and providing two assists.

For comparison, only James Maddison and Youri Tielemans of Leicester’s current crop of central midfielders can boast more than the former FC Dallas star’s eight goal contributions this season.

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McKennie’s form has certainly not gone unnoticed by those in Italy, either. Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo has gone as far as to say that the American is a “rock” in the Italian giants’ midfield – a huge compliment considering that he has had to vie with the likes of Arthur Melo, Aaron Ramsey, Adrien Rabiot, Rodrigo Bentancur and others for a starting berth.

Considering his excellent displays, Leicester will reflect on a huge mistake in not bringing McKennie to the King Power Stadium last year, a clanger which has only been exacerbated by Rodgers’ reported recent hunt for a midfielder.

AND in more news, take a look at which new deal could be a future clue for Leicester… 

Celtic’s search for a new manager has turned into somewhat of a circus. Rumours are flying all over the shop but we could be about to finally find out who is hired the Bhoys’ new head coach.

Eddie Howe has emerged as the favourite in recent days as the Hoops have moved away from Roy Keane.

What’s the word?

Howe is reportedly in advanced talks with the Celtic hierarchy to become their new manager. He has held discussions with majority shareholder Dermot Desmond and performed due diligence on behind-the-scenes matters.

According to the Daily Mail, he is already working on his backroom team. However, in a surprising turn of events, he wants to bring his own technical director with him in Richard Hughes.

Nick Hammond left his role as Head of Football Operations this week, a position which was reportedly being changed to a Director of Football. That role was set to be filled by Manchester City’s Fergal Harkin.

A deal was 90% done but news that Howe wants to bring Hughes with him instead puts a cloud of doubt over Harkin’s future.

Sportsmail reported that Howe is happy to stick with John Kennedy and Gavin Strachan, but wants Hughes to oversee a restructuring of the football operations. It is also claimed that former Celtic man Mark Burchill – now a scout at Bournemouth – is also in line for a job.

Bad news for Celtic

Hughes is currently technical director at Bournemouth but news that Celtic could now move away from Harkin shouldn’t be welcomed by supporters.

The latter has developed a reputation as a transfer guru during his time with Manchester City and has been in charge of their loan system.

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That has allowed Harkin to help the development of young players, streamlining the transition from youth team to senior football.

He has worked with the likes of ex-Hoops Patrick Roberts and Olivier Ntcham, while he played a large role in the progress of City first teamer Oleksandr Zinchenko.

For a club like Celtic who have neglected some of their younger players this season, this would have been a great appointment.

Instead, they’re looking at a director who has arguably spent poorly on the south coast of England. Although he built a squad which ultimately got promoted to the Premier League, some of his signings after Bournemouth came up were abject.

He spent £19m on Dominic Solanke, a player who has scored just 15 times in 81 outings for the Cherries. Hughes also played a role in bringing Jordon Ibe to Bournemouth in a deal worth £15m. The 25-year-old was released last summer after netting only five goals in 92 matches.

Considering some of the deals Hammond concluded at Parkhead – namely Albian Ajeti and Vasilis Barkas – this wouldn’t necessarily be an upgrade.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Edouard: Celtic must sign 16-goal gem who plays “in the style of Robben”…

Writing for football.london, Tottenham Hotspur correspondent Alasdair Gold has relayed news that defender Malachi Fagan-Walcott has suffered a fresh injury blow that his Dundee boss described as ‘severe’ – with the youngster’s loan north of the border now cut short.

Fagan-Walcott suffers injury blow

Fagan-Walcott, who made his senior debut for the Lilywhites during their Champions League second leg tie against RB Leipzig in 2020, was sent out on a temporary spell to Dundee in a bid to accumulate more game time.

However, as Gold relays this news, the Lilywhites man has now suffered a fresh injury blow after recovering from knee surgery before January – with the player now returning to north London as a result.

Dundee manager James McPake provided a bleak assessment when first confirming the scan, revealing that Fagan-Walcott’s injury was ‘pretty severe’ and it is in fact a tendon problem.

Transfer Tavern take

Time will tell exactly when Fagan-Walcott returns from this latest injury setback, but it certainly comes as another blow in his bid to become a regular Tottenham first teamer in future.

Having recovered from surgery to then pick up a serious tendon problem, the 19-year-old will be hoping his latest fitness issues don’t keep him off the field for too long in a detriment to his development.

In other news: Tottenham could lose this ‘top class’ player, find out more here.

Dean Windass has exclusively told Football FanCast that David De Gea’s days at Manchester United are numbered.

The Spaniard was regarded as the best goalkeeper in the world at one stage in his career, but his form has dipped over the previous few seasons, which has cost him his place on the international stage.

Despite mistakes cropping up, £375,000-a-week man De Gea has continued to remain as United’s first-choice goalkeeper, although his position at Old Trafford is currently under serious threat for the first time in his United career from youngster Dean Henderson.

De Gea has started all-but seven of Manchester United’s Premier League games this season, missing the Palace, City and West Ham games due to personal reasons, but returned to the squad for the wins over Brighton and Manchester United, although former Sheffield United loanee Henderson kept his place.

The experienced-shotstopper has more than two years remaining on his Old Trafford deal, but to couple with reports suggesting that he’s been offered to the likes of Real Madrid this summer, Windass expects him to leave the Red Devils.

“His time is up. It’s been on the lips for ages now. I don’t think De Gea is the answer, I agree with Roy Keane, he makes too many mistakes. He’s been a quality goalkeeper, but sometimes you get rid of the deadwood, and he’s like the deadwood.

“Henderson has done well, course he has, and I think De Gea’s days are over. He’s still linked with Real Madrid, and if De Gea wants to go, then I’d be happy to watch Henderson in goal.”

David Moyes should ruthlessly axe Said Benrahma and recall Pablo Fornals to the West ham United starting line-up against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Fornals is expected to be passed fit for the Irons’ trip to Molineux on Monday night after two games out with a groin injury, that he had sustained ahead of a likely start away to Manchester United last month.

Benrahma featured as a substitute at Old Trafford before opening his side’s 3-3 draw with rivals Arsenal before the international break, for the 25-year-old’s 11th Premier League start since his arrival at the London Stadium in October.

Benrahma failed to have a direct influence on the scoring against the Gunners as his wait for a maiden goal in claret and blue continues, and is now six games without an assist across all competitions.

The £20m-rated maestro came close to ending his creative drought in the second half when Benrahma delivered a teasing ball across Arsenal’s six-yard box following a driven run between Pablo Mari and Thomas Partey, only for Michail Antonio to find the base of the post.

But the Algerian was the least involved of West Ham’s attacking options overall at home to Mikel Arteta’s north Londoners, while Jesse Lingard pulled the strings and Antonio offered two assists and often held the ball up wonderfully.

Benrahma occasionally displayed the defensive work-rate that has caught Moyes by surprise previously, but his efforts were too insufficient to prevent Calum Chambers from turning in a Man of the Match display thanks to a game-high eight crosses and creating three chances.

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“I’ve had a bit of a laugh with him [Benrahma] because I’m saying to him: ‘I didn’t realise I’d signed a really hard-working midfield player who runs and closes down, and does all the defensive duties,’” Moyes said, via quotes by The Guardian, in February.

“I said: ‘I thought we got someone for assists and goal making.’ They’re the bits which I think he’s probably needed to improve. The other part has been excellent. I want team players here – I don’t want individuals – but Said’s been great for the team.”

With Fornals expected to be passed fit to face Wolves on Monday night, Moyes should now ruthlessly axe Benrahma for the Spaniard as the decision could prove game-changing in helping to shut down the right-wing of Nuno Espirito Santo’s plans.

Benrahma has been touted by Claret & Hugh as the most at-risk player to make way for Fornals, who Moyes has previously lauded for his “incredible” energy and enthusiasm – which was on show front and centre against Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Leeds United before his injury.

Fornals also averages a higher number of successful tackles per Premier League game this season than Benrahma with 1.17 to the Algerian’s 0.76, as well as more interceptions (1.17 to 0.29) and clearances (0.17 to 0.1), per SofaScore.

Wolves favoured the right-hand channel more often during their last top-flight fixture, with four of their six key passes coming through Romain Saiss, Nelson Semedo and Adama Traore. Half of their 10 shots also came from that side, per WhoScored.

It was a similar story the week before away to Aston Villa with four of 10 shots and three of eight key passes coming from the right, where Fornals or Benrahma will likely be tasked with aiding Aaron Cresswell on Monday night.

Thus, if Fornals is fully fit and ready to go from the off, Moyes should see that he starts from the off, even if it means dropping Benrahma to the bench to make space.

AND in other news, West Ham trail a Premier League rival for a five-goal, seven-assist star once labelled an “exciting prospect”…

Many Rangers fans have been left to buzz as Ross Wilson has shared an update on the proposal of a Gers ‘B’ team in the Lowland League.

As per a video shared by the official Twitter page of the Glasgow club, the Sporting Director has confirmed that George Fraser, who is the chairman of the SLFL, has reached out with an invitation to them to potentially consider joining the Lowland League, initially for one season.

It would mean that the Ibrox faithful could give more senior game time to their youth prospects, not just to help develop them as they would be playing men’s football, but also for the other teams around them, as they get to play against some of the rising stars of Scottish football and it would also draw more eyes to the lower tiers of the game.

Managing Director Stewart Robertson and Head of Academy Craig Mulholland are also on board with the idea in the Gers’ video, which could help develop Scottish football as a whole, as they await approval from the SFA.

Rangers fans on Lowland League update

These Rangers supporters buzzed upon listening to the update, with one fan saying that they were ‘delighted’ while another even went as far as to claim that it would be ‘brilliant’:

“I know myself I would try make a lot of these games. I know thousands of Rangers fans would actually could picture few thousand turning out would be brilliant”

Credit: @bnziebryan

“Delighted to see/hear our club calling out the SFA/SPFL for their lack of leadership.”

Credit: @ScottSmcg10

“Excellent video. I can’t believe @ScottishFA have dragged their heels over this. I am looking forward to hearing more about this as the discussions progress.”

Credit: @onlyoneamoruso

“Its a great move for a developing side. Will improve the grassroots standards in the league”

Credit: @BillyKsOpinion

“Spot on”

Credit: @King_Kamara18

“Rangers leading the way & firing the bullets. Class”

Credit: @Ryan59226753

In other news, find out what SPFL update has left Gers fuming here!

A nine-man Glasgow Rangers side crashed out of the Europa League at the round of 16 stage on Thursday evening.

Steven Gerrard’s men were defeated at Ibrox for the first time in just over a year by Czech Republic champions Slavia Prague, also ending a 13-game unbeaten run in the competition.

The visitors took the lead early in the first half, but things went from bad to worse after the break. Just six minutes after being introduced from the bench, Kemar Roofe received a straight red card for catching the goalkeeper with a high boot.

Slavia Prague doubled their advantage shortly later as Leon Balogun followed the 28-year-old in for an early shower.

However, the Gers duo weren’t the only two players to badly let Gerrard down on the night. You could probably make a case for pretty much everyone, although the fact that Scott Arfield was hooked after just 55 minutes was rather damning.

As a key member of that engine room, in the absence of the injured Ryan Jack particularly, the 32-year-old veteran should’ve stepped up to the mark in what was a historic occasion for the newly-crowned Scottish champions.

Instead, he was lightweight and anonymous alongside Steven Davis and Glen Kamara.

Arfield managed the fewest number of touches (29) of any Rangers player to start from the off, even fewer than goalkeeper Allan McGregor (40), and that’s just not what you need from someone who is supposed to pull the strings in the middle of the park.

From those limited touches, the Canada international struggled in possession, losing the ball nine times whilst he could only make 71% of his 24 passing attempts. This was comfortably the worst effort from any Gers player, and that’s just not what you need from a midfielder.

Considering Arfield is averaging an accuracy of 84.4% of his passes this season, via WhoScored, he was clearly having an off night.

The former Burnley ace won just one of seven duels (14%) too, only emphasising how much he struggled to combat the industrious strength of the visiting Czech Republicans.

GlasgowLive graded Arfield a 4/10, the joint-worst from the starting XI alongside Balogun and claimed: ‘It’s just not worked out for him since coming back from injury and he really struggled in his 50 odd minutes on the pitch.’

Indeed, the ageing midfielder hasn’t managed above a 6.22 WhoScored rating since mid-December and last night was just another sign of why the Gers should be looking to move on from him sooner rather than later.

He badly let Gerrard and the club down.

AND in other news, Exclusive: West Ham will be monitoring Rangers striker, claims Pundit…