West Ham manager David Moyes has revealed that Edinson Cavani was on his list of transfer targets during his less than memorable spell at Manchester United back in 2013.
The Hammers boss famously followed in the footsteps of legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, but lasted just ten months in the biggest job in the country despite penning a six-year deal upon his arrival.
David Moyes was in charge of Manchester United during the 13/14 season | Ian Horrocks/Getty Images
Moyes has slowly but surely started to rebuild his reputation, which was ruined by that spell at United, and has overseen a West Ham resurgence, one that has led the club to fifth place after 10 games of the 2020/21 Premier League season.
The Scot has now rewound time and recounted that Uruguayan striker Cavani could have been seen him a United shirt long before this season. He revealed that during his time in charge, the Red Devils had scouted him and even made contact with his representatives about a possible move to England.
“We were watching Cavani closely at the time,’ Moyes said, quoted by the Evening Standard. “The problem I had was I had Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney, Chicharito who were already in that position and several other up-and-coming players.
“But he was one player at the time, an incredibly talented player, which he proved over seven years at PSG. He’s looked a very talented player when coming on for Manchester United in the games I’ve seen.”
Edinson Cavani’s 45 minutes stats v. Southampton:
2 tackles 2/4 shots on target 2 chances created 1 assist 2 goals
Cavani went on to play 254 times for PSG, and became a club legend after netting a whopping 168 goals. He eventually found his way to Old Trafford in October, and played a starring role as United fought back from two goals down to beat Southampton 3-2 at St Mary’s.
After leaving Old Trafford, Moyes tried his hand at management in Spain, taking over at Real Sociedad for a short spell. He then took charge of Sunderland, suffering relegation from the Premier League, and now finds himself in his second spell at the helm of West Ham – having previously worked a six-month contract in 2018.
The third kit Juventus will be wearing for the 2021/22 is expected to be ‘shock yellow’ if fresh leaks on the expected jersey are correct.
Juve have previously had yellow change strips in 2017/18, 2013/14 and 2005/06, as well as gold shirt that was used for a couple of years between 2008 and 2010.
‘Hi-res blue’ and white are the anticipated trim colours to accompany the vivid shade of yellow, according to serial kit leaking website Footy Headlines.
‘Shock yellow’ is actually the colour used by adidas for this season’s goalkeeper shirt, suggesting that next year’s third shirt could look something like what Wojciech Szczesny and Gianluigi Buffon have already been wearing for the last few months.
Juventus’ current goalkeeper shirt is yellow | Chris Ricco/Getty Images
It will still be made by adidas, while there have been three stars above the club crest since 2014 when Juve won a milestone 30th title. At current pace, the club could earn a fourth star with a 40th Serie A crown in 2024.
Footy Headlines previously reported in September that Juve’s home shirt for next season is expected to see a return to solid black and white stripes from the more abstract 2020/21 design.
The 2021/22 away kit, meanwhile, is likely to be black, but what colour trim is not yet known.
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Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk has given supporters a boost by posting a series of promising photos in the gym as he steps up his recovery from the serious injury he suffered back in October.
The 29-year-old underwent successful surgery on his knee, which was damaged against Everton during the Merseyside derby. The Netherlands international’s return date is not yet known, but the severity of the blow led supporters to fear the worst.
Van Dijk has offered the Reds some hope over his eventual return however, posting a series of photos of himself in the gym and swimming pool, along with the caption, ‘working harder than ever.’
The Dutchman is being put through his paces by the Reds’ medical staff in the images, as he worked away from the rest of the team. it could be a long road to full fitness for the defender, but Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will be encouraged by his star’s development thus far.
Anterior cruciate ligament injuries can often force players to miss an entire season of action, and Klopp will be keen not to rush his talisman back and risk a relapse or further damage.
The German coach is in a tricky predicament however, as the Reds are currently in the middle of a scarcely believable injury crisis, which has seen all of the regular back-four ruled out at one time or another.
Van Dijk’s centre-back partner Joe Gomez has suffered a similarly serious knee injury, which could rule the England star out of action until the 2021/2022 campaign. Klopp has turned to academy star Nathaniel Phillips and natural midfielder Fabinho in his time of need, but he’ll be concerned that the lack of depth in that position could prove costly in the title race.
Liverpool next face a tough task at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday evening, before completing their Champions League group stages with a trip to FCMidtjylland on Wednesday.
You build your team around a stellar centre-forward, spend a summer shunning advances from various big clubs, eventually tie him down to a long-term deal and then he suffers a horrific injury which looks to have almost certainly ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign.
Naturally, Nuno Espirito Santo has been quick to stress in the aftermath of Raul Jimenez’s awful head clash with David Luiz that his thoughts are purely on the wellbeing of the Mexican forward. However, with Premier League fixtures coming thick and fast over the Christmas period, just how will they cope in his absence?
Raul Jimenez suffered an awful injury at Arsenal | Sam Bagnall – AMA/Getty Images
Of course, with the transfer deadline long since passed, Nuno will be required to work with the current squad of players at his disposal as he looks to absorb the loss of his talisman, but that shouldn’t necessarily be looked at as a negative.
The first shoots of positivity in the 29-year-old’s absence came in the very same game he suffered the shuddering collision.
The injury to Jimenez saw Nuno turn to big-money summer signing Fabio Silva. The 18-year-old was tasked with leading the Wolves line for the majority of the game (given his introduction took place just 15 minutes in) and he did a fine job of receiving the ball to feet and showed the awareness and the ability to linkup play with his teammates.
It may have only been 63 minutes of football – he was subbed late on as the visitors looked to close out the game – and Silva has a long way to go if he’s to prove he’s a Premier League footballer, but he displayed all the nous and intelligence to suggest he can be the focal point of Wolves’ attack if needed.
? pic.twitter.com/CPQDuq7B9E
— Raúl Jiménez (@Raul_Jimenez9) November 30, 2020
The one thing the former Porto man did lack was the striker’s instinct that has seen Jimenez become one of the most sought-after strikers in European football. Silva was inches away from getting his head on a delivery whipped across the Arsenal goal – had Jimenez been the target of said cross you could put your mortgage on him finding the back of the net.
That being said, it would be unjust to criticise the £35m man for not being half a foot taller – which essentially could have been the difference between him scoring and him missing out – though his lack of physical presence may ultimately offer another string to Wolves’ bow.
Let’s not forget, Nuno’s side looked far from blunt after Jimenez had left the field against Arsenal. In fact, they would go on to score twice and secure a brilliant win at the Emirates Stadium.
Instead of having Jimenez as the focal point of the attack, Wolves looked to concentrate their efforts on having three mobile, pacey forwards on the pitch, and with the likes of Daniel Podence and Pedro Neto either side of Silva, Arsenal couldn’t cope with the visitors’ three-pronged attack.
Fabio Silva did well when coming on against Arsenal | James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images
Their second goal at the Emirates provided a glimpse of what we might be able to expect from Nuno’s side going forward.
Having picked up the ball near the centre circle, Neto drove at the Arsenal backline. Clearly terrified by his pace, the Gunners defence continued to back off, before the Portuguese youngster unleashed a fierce shot which was spilt by Bernd Leno. Not content with hugging the touchline, Podence emerged from the left, evaded every Arsenal defender before producing a moment of magic to hand his side the lead.
The fluid, fast-paced, interchanging movement of the Wolves front three was simply too much for Mikel Arteta’s men to handle, and if anything, the lack of a main man up front proved to be what won Wolves the game.
The other option Nuno has at his disposal is the jet-heeled Adama Traore.
Adama Traore can be a threat when utilised correctly | Sam Bagnall – AMA/Getty Images
The Portuguese tactician has already attempted to experiment with Traore in various different positions (with little to no success), and so the temptation to start him as the spearhead of Wolves’ attack should definitely be avoided, as he’s proven to find it difficult to adapt to a new role for a full 90 minutes.
However, the rapid Spaniard proved in Wolves’ memorable win over Manchester City last season, that when pushed further forward late on – with the opposition beginning to tire – he can be a huge asset when he plays off the shoulder of the last man and looks to utilise his pace in behind.
Losing a centre-forward of Jimenez’s ability would be difficult for most teams in the world to recover from, so of course it will have an impact on Wolves. However, Silva’s performance at Arsenal and the other forward players Nuno has at his disposal should be more than enough to cope with the Mexican’s absence; even if it does mean a slight change in style.
Everton came from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Burnley at Turf Moor in the Premier League on Saturday.
Burnley took the lead inside three minutes. Allan sloppily conceded possession deep inside his own half and Robbie Brady capitalised, stroking past Jordan Pickford from the edge of the box.
Everton levelled the scores on the stroke of half time through Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who typically turned home Richarlison’s pinpoint cross with a lunging finish.
11 goals in 11 Premier League games! ?
Where would Everton be without Dominic Calvert-Lewin? ?♂️#BUREVE pic.twitter.com/tpMTFjAZNJ
— 90min (@90min_Football) December 5, 2020
Both sides had chances to win the game in the second half, but Nick Pope and Jordan Pickford both produced terrific saves to keep out James Rodriguez and Chris Wood.
Let’s get into some player ratings
Pope denied Calvert-Lewin in the first half | Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Nick Pope (GK) – 7/10 – Produced a great reaction stop to keep out Calvert-Lewin in the first half, and a terrific fingertip save to deny Rodriguez in the second.
Matthew Lowton (RB) – 7/10 – Demonstrated great anticipation to intercept a Pickford pass and produced a terrific cross that Rodriguez almost turned home. Kept out Richarlison with an excellent block in the second half.
James Tarkowski (CB) – 5/10 – Got away with allowing Calvert-Lewin to escape from his clutches early in the first half, but the Everton striker did the same on the stroke of half time to equalise. Otherwise solid as Everton failed to break down the Burnley backline in the second half.
Ben Mee (CB) – 6/10 – Both Mee and Tarkowski struggled to contend with the movement and pace of Calvert-Lewin, but were robust and frustrated the Everton forward line.
Charlie Taylor (LB) – 6/10 – Unable to get forward as much as Lowton on the opposite flank with Iwobi forcing him sit a little deeper. Solid defensively.
Brady opened the scoring for Burnley | Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Robbie Brady (RM) – 7/10 – Making his first Premier League start of the season, he opened the scoring with a really well taken finish from the edge of the area inside three minutes. He did peak quite early and was subsequently relatively quiet. Ashley Westwood (CM) – 6/10 – Picked out Brady with a first time pass for Burnley’s opening goal, but was eased off the ball by Allan in the build up to Everton’s equaliser.
Josh Brownhill (CM) – 7/10 – Put in a real shift, harrying Everton’s busy midfield and crunching into tackles. Had an effort from the edge of the box defelcted wide in the second half.
Dwight McNeil (LM) – 5/10 – Was kept relatively quiet by Iwobi, but provided one piece of magic to dance past Allan in the second half. Flashed a good chance well wide at the death.
Rodriguez led the line for Burnley | Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Jay Rodriguez (ST) – 5/10 – Probably the second best Rodriguez on display. Had a lot of joy in behind in the first 20 minutes, but had a quieter second half and was replaced with a quarter of an hour remaining.
Chris Wood (ST) – 6/10 – Could have doubled Burnley’s lead in the first half, holding the ball up well before combining with McNeil, but he was denied by Pickford.
Barnes came on in the second half | Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Ashley Barnes – 5/10
Josh Benson – N/A
Pickford started between the sticks for Everton | Pool/Getty Images
Jordan Pickford (GK) – 7/10 – Spread himself well to keep out Wood with his feet with the Burnley striker clean through on goal in the first half, and a fantastic diving save to deny the Burnley man once more in the second.
Ben Godfrey (CB) – 7/10 – Pulled off a fantastic interception to prevent Rodriguez poking home Lowton’s cross. Moved to left back following Delph’s injury as Everton switched to a back four. Really solid defensively, didn’t get forward as much as Iwobi on the opposite flank.
Yerry Mina (CB) – 6/10 – Made a great interception to prevent the ball rushing through to a lingering Barnes in the six yard area. Typically solid self.
Michael Keane (CB) – 7/10 – Cleared and headed anything and everything and enjoyed a real battle with the similarly physical Chris Wood.
Iwobi was really lively | Pool/Getty Images
Alex Iwobi (RWB) – 6/10 – Absolutely fizzing with energy in the first half. Hardly beaten defensively and looked really dangerous when marauding forward with the ball at his feet. Picked out Calvert-Lewin with a pinpoint cross early in the first half from which the Everton forward almost equalised. Quieter going forward in the second half.
Allan (CM) – 6/10 – Gifted possession to Westwood with a loose pass, resulting in Burnley taking the lead. Moved into his preferred deeper midfield role following the system switch triggered by Delph’s injury and was much more effective. Influential in Everton’s equaliser, winning the ball back in midfield and picking out Richarlison.
Abdoulaye Doucoure (CM) – 6/10 Another beneficiary of Everton’s system switch, with the three in midfield enabling him to stretch his legs and get forward more after a quiet opening 25 minutes.
Fabian Delph (LWB) – 5/10 – Forced off on the 26-minute mark after pulling his hamstring following a burst of pace.
Calvert Lewin levelled the scores | Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
James Rodriguez (RW) – 6/10 Brought a good save out of Pope with a curling effort from the edge of the box in the second half. Produced flashes of genius and occasional sloppiness in possession.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (ST) – 7/10 – Drifted in between the Burnley centre halves to flick Iwobi’s cross goal-wards – but he was denied a classic DCL goal by Pope. Did then manage to net a vintage DCL goal on the stroke of half time, stretching to poke home from close range.
Richarlison (LW) – 7/10 – Tested Pope after getting the better of Lowton with a fabulous first touch. Picked out Calvert-Lewin with a fabulous first time cross for Everton’s equaliser.
Gomes came on in the first half | James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images
Andre Gomes – 6/10
Gylfi Sigurosson – N/A
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