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Two rather inconsistent sides will meet at the weekend when West Ham United host Everton at the London Stadium as the Premier League action returns following the international break.

With the two teams meeting, however, some of the league’s best goalkeepers are set to be involved in the game and could play major roles in the outcome of the fixture.

Lukasz Fabianski and Jordan Pickford will be looking to help their sides to close the gap between them and the race for seventh position, however, which shot-stopper would come out the best in a battle between the two? Let’s find out below…

Lukasz Fabianski

The Poland international has been nothing short of amazing during his time at the London Stadium and has made his £7.2million transfer fee from Swansea City in the summer look to be a bargain buy.

The 33-year-old appears to have solved the goalkeeping concerns that they have had in recent memory, with the likes of Joe Hart and Adrian both having struggled in the past, and has been able to help the Irons to win a number of points.

Fabianski’s contributions to the team have already earned him a status of being a fan favourite at the Hammers as many of the faithful have called for him to win their prestigious Hammer of the Year award for his performances.

However, the Polish shot-stopper is approaching the later years of his career and although it is money that has been well spent by West Ham, there will be concerns about how long he will be able to remain at the top of his game and continue to help the Irons improve in the Premier League.

TT Grade: B+

Jordan Pickford

Pickford, who is valued at £36 million (by Transfermarkt), appears to be just one of the recent transfers that Everton have made in the past few months to have passed the grade. Having paid an initial £25m for the England international has largely looked to be good business for the Toffees.

The 24-year-old is an excellent No.1 who typically plays in a sweeper-keeper type mould and is very quick off his line and out of his penalty area to make crucial clearances.

As Fabianski has with West Ham, Pickford has helped to win Everton points at times with his performances, with his display against Chelsea recently helping them to secure a much-needed but impressive three points.

However, for the praise that the England international has earned, it would be fair to say that his performances do also attract criticism at times and is something that he can work on, with the odd costly error being made on occasion.

TT Grade: B

The Verdict:

West Ham and Everton both definitely have some of the Premier League’s best goalkeepers at the moment and both will definitely be important in determining the outcome of Saturday’s match.

Both men have arguably been one of their respective club’s best transfer additions in recent windows and have both been crucial to where the teams currently find themselves in the top-flight.

However, Pickford could learn a thing or two from Fabianski moving forward, as the Poland international may not have had the best start in the Premier League with Arsenal, but he has since turned out to be brilliant ‘keeper for both Swansea City and West Ham.

For that reason, Fabianski wins this battle.

West Ham and Everton fans, what are your thoughts on the battle between these two? Who would come out on top for you and why? Join in with the discussion below by sharing your thoughts with us below.

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Steve McClaren has been operating on borrowed time in recent weeks – the results have worsened as the season nears the end – but, finally, QPR decided that enough was enough on Monday and gave the former England boss the boot with seven games to go.

McClaren departs Loftus Road having overseen 46 matches in charge since taking Ian Holloway’s place at the helm last summer – the former Palace boss was sacked a week previously after a poor run of results towards the end of the 2017/18 season.

The R’s have won just once since Boxing Day and are currently in the worst form of the league; whoever comes in and replaces McClaren has an almighty job to turn the season around and guide the Hoops to a respectable finish come May.

Could that man be Holloway? It certainly seemed that the eccentric honcho has some unfinished business at Loftus Road, as he spoke to TalkSport in the wake of his successor’s sacking:

“He took my job. I still had another year left at the club. I’m still being paid by them now.

“He was talking to the chairman while I was in the job, saying what he’d do and what he’d change. He hasn’t been able to do that.

“What goes around comes around. Where the hell are the young lads I was told to bring through? [Ebere] Eze isn’t playing, what about [Ryan] Manning? They’re not playing. I was told to promote the youth and bring people in who cared about the club, it’s not happening.

“Would I go back? It depends who calls me, Les [Ferdinand, director of football] didn’t want me to go.”

Watch the best fails from the world of indoor football in the video below…

Indeed, neither Eze or Manning have featured under McClaren recently, whose QPR team could certainly have done with some youthful exuberance, with the likes of Luke Freeman preferred in Eze’s central, attacking-midfield role.

Holloway also refused to rule out a sensational return to the helm on the condition that QPR legend Ferdinand was the one to speak to him. Could it happen? Let us know in the comments, QPR fans, whether you would like to see Holloway return or not.

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According to Football Insider, Everton are considering a move for Birmingham City forward Che Adams in this summer’s transfer window.

What’s the word, then?

Everton are widely expected to move for a new striker this summer amid suggestions that Cenk Tosun will be leaving Goodison Park.

As per Football Insider, the Toffees are huge admirers of Adams, who is enjoying a terrific campaign for Birmingham.

Indeed, the 22-year-old has found the back of the net on 22 occasions in 40 Championship appearances for the Blues during the 2018-19 season.

Burnley were strongly linked with a move for the forward in January, with the Clarets said to have offered in excess of £12m for his services.

It does seem likely that Adams will leave St Andrew’s this summer and Everton could be about to bring him to the Premier League.

What would the signing mean for Everton’s attack?

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has only scored six Premier League goals this season, but there is no question that the 22-year-old has impressed.

He was terrific against Arsenal at the weekend and the thought of Adams operating in tandem with Calvert-Lewin will be exciting for Everton supporters.

Theo Walcott has struggled this term, but Bernard and Richarlison have both shown their qualities, while Gylfi Sigurdsson has managed 12 top flight goals.

In this era of ‘big 6’ dominance, has finishing 7th become as good as winning a trophy? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have their say in the video below…

Tosun has proved that spending big money on foreign strikers is not always the way forward and if Adams arrived to supplement the likes of Calvert-Lewin in the final third then Everton could cause all sorts of problems next season.

Adams is untried and untested in the Premier League, but his goal record this season simply cannot be ignored and the Toffees should seriously consider a summer swoop.

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According to The Mirror, Tottenham Hotspur could move for Leicester City’s James Maddison in this summer’s transfer window.

Christian Eriksen will see his contract at Tottenham expire in June 2020 and the Denmark international has been strongly linked with a move away from the club.

According to The Mirror, should Eriksen depart, Spurs will consider making a bid to sign Maddison from Leicester.

The 22-year-old joined the Foxes from Norwich City last summer.

He has scored seven times and registered six assists in 32 Premier League appearances during the 2018-19 campaign.

There is absolutely no question that the attacker is a talent, but the Tottenham fans are split when it comes to his potential arrival.

Indeed, whilst some want Maddison to arrive this summer, others are not convinced that he would be the right replacement for Eriksen.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

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West Brom’s game with Reading was far from a classic. However, in drawing 0-0 it was a result that was enough to seal both sides’ fate. For the Royals it was a point that ensured they’d be playing in the Championship against next season, and for the Baggies it meant they secured a play-off spot.

Naturally, the defenders will take the plaudits when both sides keep a clean sheet but from a West Brom point of view, this will come as a much-needed boost going into the remaining games.

Under James Shan, there have been some questionable defensive contributions, no less so than at Ashton Gate when the club found themselves 3-0 down in the first half against Bristol City.

But this was a much improved defensive display as West Brom secured their first shutout in six games.

One of the men to make a difference was captain for the day Kyle Bartley. The former Arsenal man was absolutely tremendous for Leeds in the Championship in 2016/17, but this term he hasn’t been able to replicate that.

His performances have largely been disappointing, and as such he’s taken a barrage of criticism from West Brom fans on social media.

However, against Reading, the club looked a lot better for Bartley starting and he was able to prove his doubters wrong with a busy and industrious display at left centre-back.

The 27-year-old was solid at the back and since Shan has moved to a three-man defence following that defeat against Bristol City, the defence and team as a whole have looked much better.

The 40-year-old made plenty of changes for the draw with Reading, and as a result they lacked their attacking potency which was in evidence against Preston.

But defensively there was a renewed purpose and Bartley has the new system to thank for his improved displays in the past two matches he’s played.

His passing accuracy was bettered only by Rekeem Harper in the West Brom side whilst the fact he won 100% of his aerial duels shows the force he can be when the ball isn’t on the ground, too.

Without Ahmed Hegazi, Albion have looked confused in defence but the performance of Bartley in particular on Monday will give their supporters extra confidence going into the play-offs.

For Shan, his most impressive feat yet is perhaps getting players like him in form.

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Manchester United fell to a dismal 4-0 defeat against Everton on Sunday as their poor run of form continued under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and club-record signing Paul Pogba was one of a number of hugely disappointing performers on the day.

If the Red Devils want to qualify for the Champions League next season then they need to turn their form around quickly, as they once again failed to show up against the Toffees at the weekend.

Because of his price tag Pogba will always be one of the players that fans scrutinise first, and there wasn’t a lot to be impressed by from the Frenchman on Merseyside.

While he did produce a neat pass through for Marcus Rashford early on, he once again failed to exert himself on a game like we know he can.

It was a hot day but that is no excuse – the 26-year-old hasn’t been good enough for the majority of the time since his return to Old Trafford.

Who would win out of Man Utd’s treble winners and Man City today? Fans discuss in the video below…

While some United supporters may feel that the 2018 World Cup winner doesn’t really care about the club, there was one image from the heavy loss that suggested that isn’t the case.

In a photo where Nemanja Matic and Chris Smalling are pictured with their hands on their hips looking dejected, Pogba is at least showing some raw emotion and some leadership skills as he shouts at his teammates.

While the Frenchman clearly shouldn’t be devoid of criticism having not turned up again, this does disprove any possible myths that he may have given up on the club.

It’s a small positive step, and now he needs to step up and help the team secure a top-four finish in the coming weeks.

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According to the Daily Mail, Crystal Palace are interested in signing Aston Villa star Jack Grealish if Wilfried Zaha does depart the club this summer.

The Ivory Coast international recently revealed that he is keen to experience Champions League football.

If the Eagles No.11 did depart Selhurst Park this summer it would be a real blow to a fanbase who have watched him develop into a player of real pedigree since swapping Manchester United for Palace but, having said that, Grealish is a real talent himself and would be a great signing.

Has this guy found the worst stadium in English football? Decide for yourself by watching the video below…

Let’s take a look at the potential consequences of the Villans academy graduate arriving in south London…

Immediately high expectations and potential failure

If the 23-year-old is signed with the Zaha money and deployed in place of where the Ivorian once stood, it may not bode well for Grealish. Zaha is the club’s talisman, the one who makes them tick, and any man signed as a ‘replacement’ for the former Cardiff winger will immediately find themselves under a lot of pressure to perform to his level.

This definitely won’t be an ideal scenario, especially as Grealish has spent a few years out of the top-flight, and it could potentially see him fail at Palace as a result.

Other problem areas not sorted

It is no secret to the Selhurst Park faithful that the club still haven’t adequately replaced the talents of Yohan Cabaye, a calming presence in the middle of the park alongside Luka Milivojevic.

Additionally, when Michy Batshuayi returns to Chelsea this summer at the end of his loan spell, Roy Hodgson will have just the goal-shy Christian Benteke and the injury-prone Connor Wickham as his striking options – both of the aforementioned areas need investment.

United shrewdly inserted a sell-on clause when they sold Zaha back to Palace, which would entitle them to 25% of the profits if the Eagles did sell the forward – as a result, there may only be enough money for Grealish, who Spurs saw a £25m bid rejected for back in the summer.

Still no game time for Max Meyer?

The majority of Max Meyer’s few appearances since arriving on a free transfer last summer have come as an attacking midfielder, predominantly on the left where Grealish usually plays for Villa.

It has been a source of constant frustration for the Palace fans this season that the Germany international has not started more games, and if Grealish, a man who plays in the same position as him, arrives in a big-money deal, it would almost certainly push him even further down the pecking order.

That isn’t to say that the former Schalke man will leave the club, but he most certainly won’t be happy if Grealish does arrive.

Whilst the Hammers have struggled with inconsistency all season, getting one over their London rivals Tottenham puts all their problems to one side. How nice is it to be the first ever team to win at their overrated new home? Wonderful, wonderful stuff. 

Still, it hasn’t been the greatest season for Manuel Pellegrini and his players but it is one that has shown real glimpses of potential. Indeed, despite the huge spending over the summer, West Ham will be hoping to make a number of changes this window too, in a bid to get themselves where they want to be.

The need for changes is a great one, with the right additions sure to hoist the Hammers further up the Premier League and improving their chances of reaching a seventh place in the future. Who knows? Maybe they could go higher.

One player they have been linked with is AC Milan’s Hakan Calhanoglu (via Fanatik late last month) and he is certainly the calibre of player that would allow West Ham to get far better as a team. Calhanoglu, (who is valued at £19.8 million on Transfermarkt) would undoubtedly be a huge lure for West Ham and one who would add significant quality to their midfield.

The 25-year-old has been strutting his stuff for the Italian side, being their reliable, creative source from the heart of midfield. Perhaps he could be everything Jack Wilshere was supposed to be.

With a stunning 13 assists across the season, Calhanoglu is understandably a player West Ham would be keen to acquire, given his natural talent on the pitch. His reputation, especially from dead-ball situations, is second-to-none and the Hammers haven’t had a capable player from those chances since Dimitri Payet left in 2017.

With Hakan Calhanoglu able to play both central-midfield and on the wing, West Ham may finally have their missing link and the player to help assist their growth to the next level.

Do you agree Hakan Calhanoglu would be a brilliant signing for the Hammers? If not, why not? Join the discussion by commenting below… 

Everton have enjoyed a terrific second-half of the season which resulted in a pleasing top-half finish, just short of Europa League qualification. Now, it’s just about getting to that level consistently if this exciting Toffees project really is to hit a new level. 

Indeed, to think that Marco Silva’s side were desperately struggling at the beginning is a distant memory. Their comeback has been very respectable and marks huge potential ahead of next season, where a big summer budget could leave them in great shape.

Obviously, like a number of clubs around them, Everton have already been linked with a host of players and ones that could potentially have a huge impact on their future. One who stands out from the rest is 24-year-old Belgium winger Leandro Trossard, due to his magnificent performances in the Pro League this season.

Trossard, (who is valued at £12.6 million on Transfermarkt) is a winger that has been quite brilliant for Genk this season, hence why a number of teams are all interested in his signature, with the Sunday Express (05/05, Sport pullout, p7) via HITC, claiming the Merseyside club are one of them.

From the left-hand side, Trossard has a goal every other game – with 22 strikes and a handy 10 assists in 44 appearances, a quite stupendous record no matter what league.

If he could get even close to replicating that brilliance in an Everton shirt, then the Toffees could bag themselves an accomplished forward at the very least, replacing the inconsistency of Theo Walcott and Ademola Lookman. Just imagine that, Toffees, someone to actually create something in the final third.

Regardless of whom he may replace, Everton would boast tremendous attacking options as Trossard can not only play on the wing, but as a number ten or second striker as well. Frankly, an attack that includes Richarlison, Bernard, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Trossard would strike fear into the heart of most Premier League teams.

Why’s it a realistic signing? Well, Trossard isn’t quite at the top level just yet, much like Everton themselves right now. Together, however, they could grow. That’s what those at Goodison Park need right now, some excitement and a player to lift fans from their seats.

Everton have the opportunity to assert themselves as a top seven contenders next season and the early capture of a player like Leandro Trossard is exactly what they need to kick-start the window.

Toffees, would you back such a move? Join the discussion by commenting below… 

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Manchester United are keen on a summer move for Newcastle United prospect Sean Longstaff, according to Sky Sports, and Magpies fans have been quick to react on Twitter.

The outlet say he fits the transfer mould for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with the Old Trafford boss keen on adding young, home-grown talent to his squad that he can develop into trophy winners.

For their part, the Magpies say he is not for sale and have not yet been contacted by the Manchester club about a potential move.

Longstaff burst onto the Newcastle scene this season, making a string of impressive English Premier League appearances between December and February before suffering a season-ending injury.

Coming through the club’s academy system, fans feel he has massive potential and is the kind of player that can be built around in seasons to come.

Loose cannon or vital cog in the Newcastle’s machine? The Magpie Channel think it would be a mistake to sell the player in the video below…

There is nonetheless concern that the decision makers at Newcastle could be tempted to cash in on his talent rather than invest in his future.

These supporters have taken to Twitter this week to share their thoughts on potentially selling the 21-year-old…

Will Newcastle United be able to hold on to Sean Longstaff? Share your thoughts in the comments below…