This was always going to be the year when Mason Greenwood made his mark. In May the 17-year-old was named as the Jimmy Murphy Youth Team Player of the Year while a trio of first team appearances at the tail-end of the season dropped huge hints to his explosive pace and immense promise.

Then came the £73m sale of Romelu Lukaku to Inter and not only did Manchester United choose not to replace their goal-scorer-in-chief but talk began to circulate that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was planning to prioritise on youth this season.

Confirming this, the United boss said this summer: “Mason will definitely play more games” while scoring the winner in a pre-season friendly – ironically to Inter – will have aided the youngster’s chances no end.

So who is this striking prodigy set to terrorise defences at Old Trafford and beyond? Football FanCast sought out the thoughts of those who know him best to find out.

Watch Manchester United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – Manchester United coach

We’ll begin at the top, with the man entrusted to drip-feed Greenwood into the pressurised environs of the Premier League.

Solskjaer is clearly a big fan, to such an extent that in the quote below he fails to hide his excitement at the sheer scale of emerging talent he has at his disposal. As per the Manchester Evening News, Solskjaer said after Greenwood scored against Leeds in pre-season…

“He’s more than capable and will always be there, in and around the box, creating chances. If he keeps going as he does it’s difficult to keep players out who perform well. I think his movement, his cleverness: he’s going to be a very good player, the young boy.”

Marcus Rashford, team-mate

If Greenwood’s development is a cause of feverish anticipation for the fans so too is a potential partnership with another academy product in the form of Marcus Rashford. It is safe to assume that the England international was suitably impressed by the teenager’s 30 goals scored across four age groups last term. Here though he trumpets the natural style that lies behind them. As per the club’s official website:

“Mason is quite laid-back. He just likes to enjoy his football. I always think to myself that he’s not someone who you would necessarily give loads of information to. Just tell him a few bits and let him just play; that’s how he gets about with his football.”

Ole back at the wheel? Check out what Man Utd fans are saying in the wake of their 4-0 win over Chelsea in the video below…

Clayton Blackmore – ex-Manchester United midfielder

There is however far more to the Bradford-born forward’s repertoire than his clinical finishing, namely the flourishes attached. Clayton Blackmore picks out one such embellishment that makes Greenwood unique. As per Manchester Evening News, he said back in 2018…

“We don’t know how good he is going to get. He’s still growing. He’s great on the ball and very good with both feet. He’s the first person I’ve seen that takes penalties and free-kicks with his wrong foot. I’ve never come across anyone like that!”

Verdict

United have been stung before when hyping up one of their young stars – Federico Macheda anyone? – but in Greenwood they seemingly have a player with all the attributes needed to reach the very top.

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Former Crystal Palace target man Neil Shipperley believes that Che Adams will be a good signing for Southampton.

What did he say?

Adams signed for the Saints earlier this summer from Birmingham City for a fee in the region of £15m, which puts him in the top 10 of the most expensive players the south coast club have ever purchased. Whilst it does represent a significant outlay, Shipperley believes that the former Sheffield United forward will prove to be good value.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, he said: “I think that’ll be a good signing.

“It’s still big money but not compared to some of the transfers that are going on. He’s now got the chance to play in the Premier League and make his mark, which is what some of these Championship players want.

“I think that could be a good deal.

“It’s worth taking a punt on someone who’s scored goals at a lower level”.

Watch Southampton Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Don’t expect too much, too soon

Adams had a fantastic season last time out, scoring 22 goals in 46 games for a side that ended up finishing 17th in the Championship.

It was comfortably the most prolific goal scoring campaign in his career so far, but there was enough evidence to suggest he deserves a chance at the top level.

But Southampton fans expecting the 23-year-old to be equally prolific in the Premier League may want to adjust their expectations slightly; scoring regularly in the lower leagues does not guarantee similar results at the very top.

Jordan Rhodes is a great example of a player who has not been able to make the grade in the elite. In the second-tier he has been a reliable marksman, scoring 106 goals in 274 games. But that has not translated to the Premier League. He managed just six goalless appearances at Middlesbrough in the promised land, with manager Aitor Karanka not trusting him to lead the line in 2016/17.

Adams does appear to have what it takes, but the Saints faithful will be wise not to put the pressure on the youngster too soon.

Otherwise, the step up in class may prove beyond him.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s In Numbers series, which takes a statistical look at performances, season-long form and reported transfer targets… 

Teemu Pukki scored the only goal in Finland’s 1-0 win over Greece on Thursday evening, but it was Rangers’ Glen Kamara who really stole the show.

Pukki scored from the spot as the Markku Kanerva’s side continued their impressive start to Euro 2020 qualification.

They currently sit second in their group with four wins and one defeat, and no one has been more crucial for the Eagle Owls during that time than Kamara.

Watch Rangers Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

He was at his very best again on Thursday, dominating the middle of the park in a 4-4-2 formation, as he was offered a bit more freedom to roam forward with his midfield partner sitting slightly deeper.

Not only did the Rangers man win the penalty that decided the match, he also completed every dribble he attempted (five), per SofaScore. Greece simply couldn’t deal with his agility, acceleration and close control.

His passing was nothing short of supreme too, completing 94% of his efforts and providing one key pass, while converting the only long ball he attempted.

And he did his bit defensively too, making two tackles and two interceptions. In total, he won the ball back seven times for his side.

Steven Gerrard has a whole host of midfield options at his disposal at Ibrox, from the youthful exuberance of Joe Aribo to the experience of Scott Arfield and Steve Davies, and who could forget the ever-improving Ryan Jack.

Because of this, Kamara has only started seven games so far this season.

Based on his performances at international level though, the 23 year-old may just be the best of the bunch, and deserves a proper run in the team to strut his stuff in Glasgow. A nice headache for the manager to have.

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[ad_pod ]This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…Newcastle winger Jacob Murphy is reportedly heading to Sheffield Wednesday on loan during the final day of the summer transfer window.

What’s the word?

The Magpies’ transfer activity has sprung to life in the past few weeks as they welcomed Joelinton as well as Allan Saint-Maximin to the club.

However, as the deadline moves closer, two players could be heading through the exit door to Sheffield Wednesday.

On Wednesday evening, it was suggested the Owls were trying to do a deal for Rolando Aarons but a more feasible move now looks to be for Murphy.

That’s according to Keith Downie who claims the 24-year-old is in Sheffield for a medical with Wednesday.

He says a season-long loan deal has been agreed.

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Must improve

Murphy hasn’t had the best of times since moving to the north east from Norwich.

Since arriving, he’s scored just one goal in 41 games on Tyneside, enduring a rather toothless streak in front of goal.

During that time, he’s claimed just three assists. Things didn’t get much better for him during a loan spell with West Brom throughout the second half of last term either.

He struggled to make an impact at the Baggies and scored just twice whilst at the Hawthorns. It appears his end-product is severely lacking and another loan move to the Championship could be his last opportunity to impress.

When Murphy returns next summer he’ll only have one year left on his current contract with Newcastle.

Compared to Bolton and Bury, is life at Newcastle really that bad? Magpies fans discuss in the video below…

If he does well at Wednesday then it may convince the manager to extend his contract. Yet, if he throws up similar performances to the ones we’ve seen in the last few years he could be in bother.

This really does feel like the last chance saloon for the wide man who will likely be hoping to have the platform to improve at Hillsborough.

Murphy is still young, but his career to date has been rather underwhelming. His displays in the Championship last term over 15 games were inconsistent, providing just one assist so he’ll have to find a way to get better.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s In The Pipeline series, which takes a look at some of the most promising young talent either linked with clubs or emerging from their academies…

Liverpool fans have a particular fondness for young players who come through their academy from a young age, and Luis Longstaff could be the latest graduate to enjoy their support.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is the perfect example of an academy player who Liverpool fans love as ‘one of their own’, but other than the right-back there havent been too many players which have taken the same journey and remained in the first-team in recent years – with Raheem Sterling and Jordon Ibe examples of academy graduates who have moved elsewhere.

The path ahead for Longstaff is therefore a difficult one, as to break into a squad of European champions requires not only exquisite skill, but tremendous bravery and an attitude to work hard and never give up – Alexander-Arnold has shown all of that.

There are positive signs so far for Longstaff in his short career. He is 18 years of age but this season has been fast-tracked into the U23 team, and it didn’t take him long to make his mark with a goal against Southampton U23s.

In 2017 he also endeared himself to Liverpool fans with a goal against Manchester United U18s, and has since developed into a tricky winger, who is adept with the ball at his feet and likes to take the ball past opposition defenders.

His pace will also be very useful for his chances of appearing in the first-team. Jurgen Klopp’s pressing style is so effective, in part, due to the rapid movement of Sadio Mane and Mo Salah, and if Longstaff can prove he is disciplined off the ball and prepared to work hard, he will make a good case for himself in regard to first-team opportunities in the future.

The departure of Ryan Kent could also be important in his progression for two reasons. Firstly, it opens up a space in the U23 squad for Longstaff to appear more often, but it also acts as a warning sign to the player, showing that he will be moved on if he fails to reach the high standards set by the club.

For his sake that should hopefully act as a motivating factor, but if he continues his current rate of development he could certainly be one to watch out for.

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أكد اللاعب فيديريكو بيرنارديسكي، أن يوفنتوس مازال يؤمن بالفوز بالدوري الإيطالي هذا الموسم، بعد الانتصار أمس الثلاثاء، بثلاثية نظيفة على سبيزيا.

بيرنارديسكي دخل بديلًا أمام سبيزيا أمس وصنع الفارق، بتمريرتين حاسمتين لـ ألفارو موراتا عقب دخوله، وفيديريكو كييزا، قبل الهدف الثالث الذي سجله رونالدو.

طالع أيضًا: رسميًا.. يوفنتوس يفعل بند شراء ماكيني ويضمه نهائيًا من شالكه

وقال بيرنارديسكي في تصريحات لشبكة “سكاي” الإيطالية: “كان الفوز أمام سبيزيا هو الأهم، أرسلنا من خلاله إشارة أننا لن نستسلم”.

وأضاف: “نتأخر كثيرًا في الجدول، لكننا مازلنا على قيد الحياة، مازلنا نؤمن بالفوز بالدوري الإيطالي، هناك العديد من المباريات المتبقية نريد الفوز بها”.

وشدد: “نحن يوفنتوس، ويجب ألا ننسى ذلك، أمامنا مباريات قوية، علينا أن نثبت بأننا قادرون على الفوز بالبطولة هذا الموسم للمرة العاشرة على التوالي”.

يوفنتوس أمامه اختبارًا صعبًا ضد لاتسيو يوم السبت المقبل، وعلق بيرنارديسكي على المباراة: “ستكون مواجهة صعبة، لاتسيو تسبب لنا دائمًا في مشاكل السنوات الأخيرة”.

وأشار: “رغم ذلك نحن نلعب في ملعبنا، يمكن أن يمنحنا ذلك ميزة صغيرة، حتى ولو لم يكن الأمر نفسه بدون جماهيرنا، وأتوقع أنها ستكون معركة، بشرط أن نلعب بطريقتنا”.

وعن مواجهة بورتو: “ليس من السهل التفكير في ذلك قبل مواجهة لاتسيو، لكننا نعلم أن الأمر سيكون معقدًا، علينا قلب النتيجة”.

واختتم: “يوفنتوس يمكنه الاستفاقة دائمًا، هذا الفريق قادر على تحقيق المعجزات دائمًا، وقد فعلنا ذلك من قبل كثيرًا”.

أكد عصام سالم المتحدث الرسمي لنادي الزمالك أن أزمة مستحقات لاعبي فريق الكرة ستشهد انفراجة خلال الفترة المقبلة.

ويستعد الزمالك لمواجهة الترجي على ملعب رادس بتونس، في إطار مواجهات الجولة الثالثة من دور المجموعات في بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

وقال عصام سالم في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة “اون تايم سبورتس”: “أزمة المستحقات المتأخرة للاعبي الفريق ستشهد انفراجة قريبة خلال المرحلة المقبلة ويجب أن يتفهم اللاعبون أن الزمالك له فضل عليهم”.

وأكمل: “مصلحة الزمالك فوق أي شيء وكل اعتبار والجميع عليه أن يدرك حجم المسؤولية، والتعادل الأخير مع وادي دجلة أصابنا بالإحباط، ومثل هذه المشاهد هي التي تفقدنا المنافسة على الدوري”.

طالع | الزمالك: نتفاوض مع أشيمبونج لتقسيط مستحقاته.. ولم نجد أي مستندات بشأن أزمة شيكابالا!

وتابع: “لاعبو الزمالك عليهم بذل قصارى جهدهم ثم المطالبة بالحقوق الخاصة بهم”.

وبشأن التجديد لفرجاني ساسي؟، أوضح: “ظروف تواجد فريق الكرة بالزمالك في تونس قد تتيح لنا عقد جلسة مع اللاعب ووكليه والاختلافات المادية معهما فقط”.

وأوضح: “الزمالك متمسك باللاعب لأبعد حد ونحن في محاولة الوصول لحل يرضي الطرفين وفرجاني لاعب كبير ورمز للفريق”.

يذكر، أن الزمالك قد تعادل سلبيًا مع وادي دجلة في المباراة الماضية ببطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s One to Watch series, which focuses on those players we think are particularly worth keeping an eagle-eye on as the 2019/20 season unfolds.

Tom Davies broke onto the scene at Everton in the 2016/17 season and looked to be a thoroughly promising graduate of the academy, but his development has stagnated, or even regressed, since his breakthrough campaign.

With the Toffees dipping into the transfer market and spending with a frequency and heft that suggests a top six finish is on the agenda, time is not on Davies’ side as he bids to prove himself to Marco Silva – and that’s why he’s our one to watch this season.

The story so far?

Davies made his first Everton start in a 3-0 win vs Norwich, but it wasn’t until Ronald Koeman’s appointment on Merseyside that the young midfielder began to enjoy regular senior football.

The Toffees were entering a new era under the Dutch manager and with that came the emergence of the English midfielder. Davies earned Koeman’s trust rapidly and was selected for a huge home clash against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.

Davies started as one of two central midfielders alongside Gareth Barry and delivered a performance that still lingers in the memory bank.

The midfielder pulled the strings in midfield in what was a dominant and overwhelming display from the Toffees, who put four past City. The youngster got on the scoresheet with a wonderful solo effort in that game, and then remained a regular for the rest of the season, registering 24 appearances with two goals and three assists on the board.

Since then Davies has struggled to make the same impact. Despite making 33 appearances in the following season, he only tallied 16 games in Marco Silva’s maiden campaign, and his development seems to have hit a wall.

What’s 2019/20 got in store?

Davies is facing a sterner challenge this season with Everton bringing in Andre Gomes on a permanent deal along with Fabian Delph and Jean-Philippe Gbamin. Add in Morgan Schneiderlin and the fight for a starting berth looks daunting for the 21-year-old.

The new signings are the key reasons why Davies may struggle. It’s unlkely that Delph, a Premier League winner and England international, has been brought in to warm the bench and watch his teammates control the midfield, while Gbamin looks a shoo-in for the Idrissa Gueye role.

Gomes, meanwhile, adds an element of class in the middle of the park and effusive admiration from the supporters last season, which the player himself acknowledged, will naturally put him in line for regular starts.

Everton aren’t competing in Europe this year and that reduces the need to rotate, leaving Davies in danger of falling into the shadows.

Watch Everton Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

What would constitute a good season for Davies?

If Davies makes regular appearances from the bench and is brought into the starting XI on a semi-regular basis, then he will have done well.

He’s still a relatively raw talent but he’ll be eager to re-establish himself this season after a disappointing 2018/19 season.

Plenty of young midfielders have broken through, promised so much and delivered so little in their careers. The likes of Jack Rodwell, Jack Wilshere and Micah Richards all fall on different parts of that particular spectrum and Davies will undoubtedly be eager to avoid becoming another tale of what could have been, starting with a vastly improved season.

He should aim for (all competitions)

Appearances: 25

Starts: 15

Goals: 3

Assists: 2

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Arsenal may have made a positive start to the season, but they will face their first true test against Liverpool on Saturday.

A lot of the Reds’ success last season as they finished as Premier League runners-up relied on their scintillating front three of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane, and the trio are in line to start against Unai Emery’s side this weekend.

With such quality in attack, Arsenal will need to be at the top of their game defensively if they are to get anything out of the fixture, and some of the club’s supporters have suggested that the best way to go about that is with three centre-backs.

That’s certainly not out of the question. Arsenal do have three centre-backs available – David Luiz, Sokratis and Calum Chambers – and Unai Emery used such setups at times last season, including against Chelsea in the Europa League final, although this season he’s only used 4-2-3-1.

Gunners supporters have taken to Twitter to share their thoughts. You can see some of the best comments below.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more… 

When Aston Villa splashed the cash this summer, £144.5m on 12 players, it was easy to forget those who were already under contract at the club.

In January, one of Dean Smith’s first moves was to sign French right-back Frederic Guilbert, but he was loaned back to Caen for the remainder of the season whilst Ahmed Elmohamady continued to occupy that place as Villa gained promotion to the Premier League.

With the Egyptian at the Africa Cup of Nations during the summer, Guilbert was given a chance to impress in pre-season, which he duly did by helping towards two clean sheets in five matches.

But on the opening day, Elmohamady kept hold of his place, perhaps a surprise, as Smith rewarded those that got them to where they are now.

On the Chalkboard

Guilbert has since been given his debut, against Everton, where the west Midlands club picked up their first win and clean sheet of the season thanks to a 2-0 victory.

The 24-year-old picked up a 7.16 rating and even though they lost to Crystal Palace, he continued to impress in defence.

He is averaging four interceptions per game, which is above and beyond anyone else in the Villa squad with Bjorn Engels next best at 1.8 per match.

Only Wilfred Ndidi has been averaging more at 4.3 per game in the entire division, so it only goes to show the impact Guilbert has had on this impressive Villa defence already in just two matches.

This isn’t the first time the Frenchman has racked up impressive stats, however. In Ligue 1, Guilbert managed 2.9 tackles in 2018/19 whilst registering 2.3 interceptions.

The fact he’s been able to adapt so quickly to life in England is impressive.

In two games, Guilbert has clearly has been well worth the seven-month wait. It remains to be seen whether he can maintain this performance level after the international break but initial signs bode well.

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