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Roy Hodgson will be looking to add to his Crystal Palace squad this summer whilst doing his very best to stave off any approach for Wilfried Zaha. One position the former England boss may look to strengthen is right-back.

What’s the story?

It looks increasingly likely that last season’s first choice right-back Joel Ward will not renew his contract with Palace and could leave the club at the start of July. If this were to happen, the Eagles would be left with Martin Kelly (who has played centre-back recently) and youngster Aaron Wan-Bissaka as options for the position.

There are question marks over whether Kelly has the quality at full-back to help the Eagles push into the top 10 of the Premier League and if he is more suited to playing at centre-back in the long term.

Wan-Bissaka is perhaps Palace’s most exciting youngster at the moment. The 20-year-old made seven appearances at right-back last season and was capped twice for the England U20 team.

If Hodgson is in the market for a new full-back this summer then he should look no further than Senegal’s World Cup sensation Moussa Wagué.

Why sign Wagué?

Hodgson should be looking to inject some youth into a Palace defence that often lacks pace and both Wagué and Wan-Bissaka have that quality in abundance.

Senegalese star Wagué, 19, has caught the eye in Russia with his attacking performances and scored his team’s second goal in their group game against Japan.

Playing in the Belgian league for KAS Eupen (with one Claude Makélélé as his manager) Wagué played 28 games in all competitions last season, providing four assists in the process.

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Wan-Bissaka looks as though he could be a star of next season for Palace if he is given the starting role at right-back but Wagué would provide excellent cover and an able deputy for when the Englishman is rested.

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As weeks go, they don’t get much worse than the past seven days for the Gunners. Almost embarrassed by Swedish side Ostersunds in the second leg of their Europa League tie in midweek, Arsenal were then given a thorough dressing down by Manchester City in the League Cup final yesterday.

Sergio Aguero gave City the lead at Wembley just after the quarter-hour mark when he took down a long punt by Claudio Bravo and lobbed David Ospina in the Arsenal goal.

The Citizens then doubled their lead when Vincent Kompany redirected Ilkay Gundogan’s cross-cum-shot past Ospina with just under an hour played, and David Silva made it a rout when he rounded Calum Chambers seven minutes later and lashed the ball into the bottom right-hand corner.

It was a humiliating defeat for the Gunners, who in fairness had suffered ailments during the week to Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil. But there can be no excuse for such a toothless performance yesterday.

January signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang probably came closest to providing Arsenal with a goal when his tap-in inside the six-yard box was snuffed out by Kyle Walker, while Jack Wilshere at least earned the Gunners territory in midfield by winning free kicks with daring dribbles.

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But were there any redeeming individual performances for fans of the north London club? We’ll let Gunners fans decide by giving each player who took part in the Carabao Cup final an individual performance rating out of ten…

Liverpool have endured a difficult season so far. Losing Luis Suarez was always going to be tough, but coupled with the absence of Daniel Sturridge through injury and the sheer number of new players having come in, things have been very hard on Merseyside.

But a scrappy home win against West Brom could well prove to be the springboard, with some positivity beginning to creep back in at Anfield. Here are three reasons we at FFC Towers think Liverpool fans can be optimistic through the international break…

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CLICK ON ADAM LALLANA TO REVEAL THE THREE

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Liverpool showed resilience

For a team in shaky form, Liverpool showed a great deal of grit to come back from Saido Berahino’s penalty. With the spot kick controversial – the striker appeared to be outside the area when fouled by Dejan Lovren – it would have been easy for a side low on confidence to sink into their shell and use the ready-made excuse. But Raheem Sterling bounced back up from a robust challenge just minutes later at the other end of the field to pick out Jordan Henderson, who coolly finished.

Daniel Sturridge WILL be back for the next game

With England boss Roy Hodgson having left Sturridge out to recover, the striker looks almost certain to back for the QPR game after the international break. And what a relief that will be for Brendan Rodgers, who has struggled to fill the void left by his now star man. He may also link well with Mario Balotelli, as the pair showed good signs of an on-field relationship during their only outing together at Spurs.

Lallana coming good

The sheer joy on Lallana’s face when he celebrated his opener was a major hint at the relief he felt. The £25m England man has been the subject of some criticism since his move from Southampton, but he looked every bit worth the cash outlay against West Brom. Now fully fit again, the playmaker may be a useful tool for Rodgers.

Amiss. Wrong. Defective. Just 3 words that are synonymous with the definition of ‘flawed’. The Premier League has created legends and ruined careers. While there is a vast popularity difference between the aforementioned outcomes of certain stars of the English game, legendary status does not assist in hiding your flaws or defaults.

While many of the players who have made this 15 will never reach iconic distinction, there are some players shortlisted who have become symbols of the Premier League. While they may be revered for their abilities, insurmountable mistakes on and off the field, has, in some cases, lead to a rather public character assassination. As the spotlight shines ever brighter on English Football’s biggest stars, newcomers should take a look at this list and realise that it doesn’t matter how good a player you are, you will always be remembered for your wrongdoings.

Click on who else but Joey Barton to see the full list

The 2018/19 Premier League fixtures were announced on Thursday morning, and new West Ham United manager Manuel Pellegrini and Irons fans would have been quick to scan through and see not only when they were facing arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur and their other London neighbours, but also when they have favourable and unfavourable runs on paper.

If the east London club are to guarantee a top-half finish minimum next term under their Chilean boss – who has never finished below seventh when managing in European football – then they will know that a strong start to the campaign could be crucial.

However, that has already been made slightly more difficult for them by the fact that they face trips to Liverpool and Arsenal in August, meaning they will need to stand up and be counted from the opening kick.

With the squad they currently have – and with a few extra additions – the Irons, who are targeting a 5ft 9in star who would have a bigger impact for them than Dimitri Payet and Carlos Tevez – certainly have the capabilities to make a real push for a top-seven finish next term, especially as they have no European football to concentrate on like Burnley and the top six clubs all do.

A look at the fixture list quickly highlights when Pellegrini’s men need to be on their game if they are to have a successful campaign.

Here are the three months that will decide West Ham’s 2018/19 season…

After a tough trip to Liverpool on the opening day and another trip to Arsenal at the end of August, West Ham will need to ensure they hit the ground running in September if things don’t go well at Anfield or the Emirates Stadium.

A home match against newly-promoted Wolverhampton Wanderers may give them the opportunity to do that despite the west Midlands outfit’s flex in the transfer market, while the trip to Everton that follows may well be winnable, too.

Pellegrini’s men finish the month with home fixtures against Chelsea and Manchester United, and having taken four points from those corresponding games last term, they will be confident of two more big performances – and hopefully results – again on their own patch.

Following a tough-looking August and September, the fixture list certainly calms down for the east London outfit into October, but it is December that Pellegrini may already have one eye on when it comes to really picking up plenty of points.

West Ham have seven fixtures throughout the final month of 2018, with home matches against Cardiff City, Crystal Palace and Watford combined with trips to Newcastle United, Fulham, Southampton and Burnley.

There is no doubt that whether the club are flying high or struggling a little ahead of those games, they could be a sequence of fixtures that can improve their season even more or turn it back in their favour.

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With February ending with a trip to Manchester City and April containing trips to Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, March could prove to be a vital month for Pellegrini and his men as they look to achieve their aims.

Three of their four fixtures are at home – against Newcastle United, Huddersfield Town and Everton – with a trip to Cardiff City, and some good results and performances in those games would at least give them much-needed momentum ahead of a tough April.

Do you agree, West Ham fans? Let us know below.

Tom Davies will not turn 20 until June, but the midfielder has already made 60 appearances for Everton’s first team since debuting during the 2015-16 season.

The 19-year-old scored twice in 25 appearances for the Toffees last term, and has managed one goal in 33 games in all competitions for the Merseyside outfit during the 2017-18 campaign.

That said, Davies has only started 13 Premier League matches this season, with head coach Sam Allardyce often preferring more experienced players in the middle of the park.

Everton will travel to Watford in the Premier League this weekend, and it will be very interesting to see whether Davies makes the XI after scoring against Crystal Palace last time out.

The Everton fans are in no doubt when it comes to whether the midfielder should be in the team on a weekly basis.

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Indeed, the supporters have been on Twitter posting tribute messages after a recent study showed that Davies was one of the most promising teenagers in European football.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

Liverpool are taking a gamble with their latest signing, with Adam Lallana set to be confirmed soon as the club’s £25 million purchase from Southampton.

While it’s true that there are few transfers that don’t carry an element of risk, it looks to be that Liverpool are investing in a player – and overpaying – when there are better options on the market.

Brendan Rodgers has seemingly become an expert at capitalising on available players and making the most of what the market has offered up. In Daniel Sturridge, the Liverpool boss landed an English 20-plus goal scorer for £15 million. The advantage was that Chelsea failed to see the upside in the England international and let him go for a relatively knockdown fee. Coutinho’s transfer to Anfield was facilitated by the Brazilian’s struggles to convince at Inter Milan. His best showing since arriving in Europe was a six-month loan spell at Espanyol, and Inter, like Chelsea, were prepared to sell on the cheap.

Liverpool aren’t in a position now where they need to continue to follow than principle, waiting for good opportunities to present themselves. But it doesn’t require reckless spend just yet.

Adam Lallana is a 26-year-old with only two seasons of top flight experience. He’s adapted well to the Premier League, but there are no guarantees that he’s a Champions League-calibre player. At £25 million, and for a team who aren’t backed by limitless funds, it’s a gamble not worth taking.

The World Cup in Brazil has presented many good opportunities for Liverpool. The team need additions all over the pitch. In Lallana’s case, addressing a midfield role, either centrally or on the wing, the tournament in Brazil has shown players who could have been of better value.

Eduardo Vargas is the first player that springs to mind. The Chilean forward has had a good tournament, though it should be noted that his form has often been better for his national team than his club sides. Last season he went on loan to Valencia from parent club Napoli and only started 13 games, scoring just three in the league.

WANT MORE? >> Liverpool transfer news | Latest transfer news

But Vargas clearly has talent. He has the technical side of his game nailed down. It’s simply a case of getting him to perform consistently. Jorge Sampaoli has managed that at international level.

We’ve seen from this World Cup that Chile are an industrious side, not too dissimilar from what Brendan Rodgers can create at Anfield with further work. Vargas is 24, evidently dispensable by his current club and should come at far fairer price than Lallana, who, prior to the build up to this World Cup, has no experience with the England national team.

Another option is Algeria’s Sofiane Feghouli, who has been incredibly important to Valencia over the past few seasons. The 24-year-old is undoubtedly Algeria’s most recognisable player, as well as their most valuable. He’s another industrious forward who regularly plays on the right side of attack for his club. Feghouli was good for seven goals and eight assists in all competitions last season compared to Lallana’s nine and six.

The English premium attached to Lallana makes it difficult to justify his transfer. He may very well replicate his good form at Southampton for Liverpool, but that doesn’t mean he was the best option available to the club.

There is arguably too much importance placed on the fee of Lallana’s move. When you think of Fernando Torres or Andy Carroll, you’re immediately drawn to those ludicrous fees generated from their respective moves in January 2011. But this is the modern game and inflated prices are the norm.

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The primary concern here is value for money: are Liverpool about to receive the very best they could have gotten with the fee they’re about to part with? It’s a struggle to be convinced.

But there is an acknowledgement for Rodgers, who has done an incredible job of transforming the fortunes of the club and convincing others to buy into his ideals. He may very well round Lallana out into the perfect midfield signing.

We’ll have to see how this one pans out. But for their money, Liverpool could have done more than an overpriced 26-year-old with limited experience.

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Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew has claimed that the sale of Andy Carroll to Liverpool has funded the recent success at St James’ Park ahead of the strikers return with West Ham on Sunday, as reported by The Sun.

Pardew has made some impressive signings over the past few years, including Demba Ba, Papiss Cisse and Yohan Cabaye and the former West Ham boss is thankful of the money that Carroll brought in.

“The position we are in, if I’m honest, is because we used the money from Andy’s sale well,”

“He was a brilliant player for us, but the fee was astronomical. We have used it well and we owe a great debt to him.

“It’s nice to see Kevin come back — he did a super job here. Whatever he was asked to do, he conducted himself well.

“And he gets a goal. He has proven that at any level, he will get a goal.

“I’m looking forward to seeing them both and I enjoyed working with them.

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“There will be a lot on the game. Kevin will be determined to get a result, as will Andy and the manager coming back.”

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Newcastle fans have been discussing a move for West Ham target Allan Saint-Maximin, but it seems fans would much rather opt for a familiar face instead.

Recent reports suggested West Ham could target Nice wonderkid Saint-Maximin this summer, but Newcastle are also on the hunt for a speedy new winger.

The Hammers need someone to replace the pace and spark lost by the injury to Manuel Lanzini, but the French wonderkid would be a great fit on Tyneside too.

The Magpies had tremendous success with their loan move for Kenedy, as the feisty Brazilian was instrumental in moving the Magpies up the table.

With Chelsea likely demanding upwards of £20m for the Brazilian though, Benitez and Newcastle may be forced to look elsewhere.

Saint-Maximin is similar to Kenedy in many ways, as he loves to use his electric pace to beat players one-on-one.

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The young Frenchman possesses a better final ball than the Chelsea man, and his pace could be lethal latching on to long through balls from Jonjo Shelvey.

Fans aren’t convinced though, as a whopping 78 per cent opted for Kenedy instead.

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The Brazilian has of course already proven he has the physicality required to compete in the Premier League, perhaps what is turning fans away from the electric Saint-Maximin.

You can find the full poll results down below…

Southampton announced on Monday that young Frenchman Yan Valery had signed a new two-and-a-half-year contract with the Premier League club.

Valery joined the Saints from Rennes in the summer of 2015, and after impressing in the club’s Under-23 set-up, has now been handed a new contract until the summer of 2020.

It was a big day for the youngster, but unfortunately the Southampton fans were not on hand to offer their congratulations on social media.

Instead, the supporters took the opportunity to call on the club to sack head coach Mauricio Pellegrino, who continues to come under pressure following a poor run of form.

The Saints suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Liverpool on Sunday afternoon to leave them in 18th position in the Premier League table on just 26 points.

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Southampton have only won once in the league since the end of November, and a number of the club’s fans cannot believe that Pellegrino, who worked wonders at Alaves last season, still has a job at the club.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below: