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The last thing Farhad Moshiri and Bill Kenwright will have envisaged this summer was finding a new manager.

Carlo Ancelotti was supposed to lead Everton to greatness but instead, the Toffees are now back at square one after his departure to Real Madrid.

The Italian left Merseyside behind with a lot of unfinished business and they now look set to replace him with Nuno Santo.

He left Wolves a number of weeks ago and after a move to Crystal Palace fell through, is primed and ready to take on the Everton hot seat.

His appointment shouldn’t fill supporters with too much excitement but he has been a consistent and reliable figure in the Midlands for four years.

Nuno has a year’s experience of European football but with Everton holding ambitions of a place in the Champions League, they need someone with a bit more know-how.

That man could be Erik ten Hag. Also fielding interest from Tottenham, the Dutchman is one of the most improving coaches around.

The Athletic claimed that Everton have the 51-year-old on their shortlist last week and as a result, they should engage in discussions with him.

After all, Ten Hag’s style of football and his philosophy is everything the Toffees should lust after.

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He has won the Eredivisie on two occasions and was named the fourth-best coach in the world by FIFA during 2019 for his incredible Champions League run with Ajax.

They reached the semi-finals of the competition in 2018/19, knocking out Real Madrid but losing to Spurs in the dying embers of the last four.

Ten Hag’s record with the Dutch giants is rather incredible. Ajax have scored 452 goals in just 167 games with him at the helm, leading to a goal difference of +299.

A keen exponent of the high press, the coach has taken great influence from Jurgen Klopp but he also raves about Pep Guardiola; “I learned a lot from Guardiola. His philosophy is sensational, what he did in Barcelona, Bayern and now with Manchester City, that attacking and attractive style sees him win a lot,” he said.

The Ajax boss has tried to replicate that in the Netherlands and has combined elements of Barcelona’s captivating style with the total football created by the late Johan Cruyff.

Daley Blind told BT Sport (via Planet Football) in May 2019: “Johan Cruyff’s philosophy and spirit still flows around in this club. Erik ten Hag is doing very well now. He wants us to play attacking football but most of all without any fear.”

The Independent’s Will Magee added: “When it comes to Ten Hag’s favoured style of play, the Cruyffian influence is unavoidable. There is a reason that his approach has been dubbed ‘Total Football 2.0’.”

This shines through in the interchangeable nature of his side’s play. Unlike Nuno, Ten Hag is extremely flexible in the way he wants his players to set up.

The full-backs push high while Ajax’s wingers are capable of moving inside and occupying spaces in the middle, as well as on the flanks.

As for Dusan Tadic, he operates in a frightening fashion as a roaming forward, leading the line astutely with 76 goals and 70 assists in 149 outings.

With total football the modus operandi by which Ten Hag lives, he’d be a stellar acquisition for Everton.

He looks like a man with all of the tools to fix their mediocre league finishes.

AND in other news, Moshiri can make the biggest statement of his Everton tenure by hiring 51 y/o “genius”…

Tottenham Hotspur are now attempting a move for star Villarreal defender Pau Torres as claims emerge from Spain in the last week.

The Lowdown: Lilywhites fail with bid…

Torres, who has been a crucial player under former Arsenal boss Unai Emery at the La Liga side, is absolutely no stranger to Lilywhites supporters.

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Spurs transfer chief Fabio Paratici has held a serious interest in the 25-year-old before with Torres even confirming himself that the club made a summer approach before 2021/2022.

The Spain international claims Tottenham even offered him a better deal in terms of salary than Villarreal.

However, Torres goes on to say that his club’s presence in the Champions League was a deciding factor in rejecting Paratici’s advances.

Now, as per La Razon (via Sport Witness), as Antonio Conte’s side chase qualification for Europe’s most elite competition, they are back in the picture to sign him.

The Latest: Tottenham attempting Torres move…

It is claimed that Spurs are ‘seem to be trying’ to sign the central defender this summer.

As well as this, Villarreal have decided to green-light the player’s summer sale if any interested side can offer around €60 million (£50m).

The Verdict: Get it done?

An accomplished centre-half is reportedly among many of Conte’s transfer demands this summer with The Telegraph believing he could demand as many as six fresh faces.

Bearing this in mind, Paratici and chairman Daniel Levy will have to operate smartly in the market and offload surplus players like Tanguy Ndombele before making such huge investments.

As Spurs allegedly attempt to sign Torres, there is no denying they have a better chance of doing so than last year as things stand, especially as they chase a top-four finish.

His £50m price tag remains a huge obstacle, but if Paratici can work his way around the finances and Tottenham’s homegrown quota problem this summer, there is little denying he would be a major upgrade.

Spain manager Luis Enrique, calling Torres and Aymeric Laporte ‘sensational’ due to their defensive partnership at international level, is arguably proven right by the player’s impressive La Liga stats this season.

Over his 28 league starts, the colossal defender has averaged more successful aerial duels per 90 (1.9) than anyone under Emery whilst also making the second-most clearances behind Raul Albion (WhoScored).

A crucial mainstay, only goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli has played more top flight minutes over 2021/2022, backing just how integral he is to Villarreal.

If Conte can snap him up, there is no reason why he cannot become just as pivotal in north London.

In other news: Tottenham in pole position to sign ‘unreal’ 6 foot 3 powerhouse for Conte! Find out more here.

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Rob Lee, who is a Newcastle United Hall of Famer, believes the way Steve Bruce is using Joe Willock as a super-sub is perfect for the 21-year old.

The £20,000 per week midfielder has taken his chance while out on loan with the Magpies having scored four goals, with three of them coming after Willock had been subbed onto the pitch late in the second half.

Willock had been handed just two Premier League starts with Arsenal during the first half of the season but made an instant impact on Tyneside when he scored on his debut against Southampton.

Speaking on why Willock’s current role is perfect for him and why he isn’t currently starting for Newcastle, Lee exclusively told FFC:

“I genuinely don’t think it’s to do with how he’s playing I think it’s just the way that the team is set up, and I know Joe will want to start but it would change the dynamic of the side.

“At the moment he won’t like it but it suits him because everyone’s tired and when he comes on he’s got fresh legs and more often than not he’s getting chances, but he will be desperate to get in the team and he’ll be knocking on Bruce’s door no doubt, but I’m sure it’s not a long term thing.”

It has been reported that Arsenal would be willing to accept a fee of around £20million for Willock and the Magpies are likely to be at the front of the queue.

Willock’s latest goal for the Magpies came in the 96th minute against Liverpool, which earned his side a valuable and rare point at Anfield.

Tottenham Hotspur have been dealt a late blow over one of their mooted January transfer window targets this week…

What’s the word?

There were reports suggesting that Spurs had agreed on a deal with AC Milan for midfielder Franck Kessie, who is out of contract in the summer, after sporting director Fabio Paratici tried to sign him immediately instead of waiting until the end of the season.

However, it appears as if he won’t be joining this month – if at all – as according to Italian journalist Gianluigi Longari, the 25-year-old star has verbally agreed to join LaLiga giants Barcelona in June.

“Verbal agreement between #Kessie and #Barcelona for June when the contract with the midfielder’s #Milan will expire. No signature for the moment but the #Blaugrana aim to get to the definition of the details with the player’s entourage,” he tweeted.

Gutting blow for Conte

This will come as devastating news to Antonio Conte, who has previously been said to have requested Kessie’s signature heading into this month – and it’s easy to see why.

The £25m-rated Ivory Coast powerhouse would be an instant upgrade to the bulk of the Italian’s options, especially as the likes of Tanguy Ndombele, Dele Alli and Giovani Lo Celso are free to leave before Monday’s deadline.

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Kessie is capable of not only providing a physical presence in the engine room but also goals with his set-piece talents and ability to drive the ball forward into the final third.

Indeed, only Zlatan Ibrahimovic (15 goals) found the net more times than the AC Milan midfielder (13) last season, whilst he also averaged 1.4 tackles, 1.2 interceptions and 1.2 dribbles per game, via WhoScored.

That sort of style has earned comparison to former Premier League star Yaya Toure after Antonio Cassano also dubbed him “devastating” to Bobo TV (via MilanLive).

Elsewhere, Kessie has been described as an “extraordinary player” by his ex-Milan boss Vincenzo Montella.

Therefore, Conte will be truly gutted to have missed out on a player that he’s asked for, one that has been regularly linked with the north Londoners in recent months.

It comes late in the window, so Paratici and co will have their work cut out to find an alternative with just a handful of days remaining.

AND in other news, “In talks”: Sky Sports journo drops huge Spurs transfer update, Conte will be buzzing…

Sky Sports pundit Kevin Campbell reckons that new Celtic signing Joe Hart can become an important figure during his time at Parkead.

The Lowdown: Ange Postecoglou gets used to life in the Parkhead dugout

Ange Postecoglou has made a solid start to life at Parkhead after registering two consecutive victories against Jablonec and Dundee respectively, although the Champions League qualifying exit to Midtjylland in late July was his first big setback.

Making inroads on the transfer front, the 55-year-old has sanctioned deals for seven players in James McCarthy, Liel Abada, Osaze Urhoghide, Kyogo Furuhashi, Carl Starfelt, Liam Shaw and Hart [Transfermarkt].

The Latest: Campbell tips Hart to be ‘massive’ for Celtic

Speaking about the English goalkeeper in an exclusive interview with Football Insider, former Everton striker Campbell was very complimentary with regards to the potential impact that Hart could have at Parkhead, as he stated: “The great thing about Joe is that he has that experience”.

Campbell then added: “That big club experience matters, especially going to a club like Celtic.

“Hart has won the Premier League, he was England’s number one, he will relish the chance to play for Celtic.

“He can be massive for them. He will prove himself up there, I’m sure. It’s a big opportunity for him.”

The Verdict: Hart looks to be an astute signing for Celtic

Citing his experience and previous exploits, Campbell builds a strong case for Hart to succeed in Glasgow. Having made two appearances for the Hoops since his arrival, the England international managed to record his first clean sheet in a 6-0 rout of Dundee last Sunday [BBC], playing in both of their wins so far under Postecoglou.

Having been on the periphery at former club Tottenham Hotspur last term, he made 10 appearances in north London but still kept five clean sheets [Transfermarkt]. As Campbell stated, though, Hart has huge experience at a high level, playing almost 550 club career games, winning five major trophies and representing England 75 times.

At 34 years of age, his shelf life as a goalkeeper could see him play on for a good few years at Parkhead. Judging by his start so far, he looks to be an ideal fit between the sticks at Celtic and could yet fulfil Campbell’s hope of him becoming a “massive” presence for Postecoglou.

In other news, Celtic have re-opened talks with a midfield ace.

An official Police Scotland document has branded Glasgow Rangers’ players and staff as “disgraceful” following their celebrations when they beat St. Mirren earlier this year.

The Lowdown: Gers closed in on title

On March 6th, the Gers beat St. Mirren 3-0 at Ibrox to all but confirm their status as Premiership champions. Following the match, the players celebrated with supporters outside Ibrox from the stadium’s windows.

The title was confirmed to be going to Rangers the following day when Celtic could only draw 0-0 with Dundee United (The Guardian).

The Latest: Police Scotland slam Rangers

Now, an official document has been released through a Freedom of Information request by the Scottish Government which criticised the Gers supporters. The memo said (via The Daily Record):

“On conclusion of the event engagement with Police Scotland and Rangers FC continued to encourage the Club to strongly support a stay at home message.

“Whilst assurances were given this did not materialise.

“Further engagement did not result in any further statement relating to fan behaviour or responsibilities being issued, despite numerous statements encouraging celebration, including from the Manager.

“Both the Manager and players actively engaged from within the stadium with fans gathered in disgraceful displays of encouragement, in solid opposition to the public safety issues arising, to their responsibilities given the privileges under which football operates, and to the commitments they had made around public communications.”

The Verdict: Fashionable

At the moment, it seems to be fashionable to criticise Rangers. In this situation, the fans themselves had already congregated outside the stadium as the Gers won what would be prove to be a decisive match. It is only understandable that the players and staff would acknowledge their presence at Ibrox.

We have seen gatherings across Glasgow in recent weeks, such as the Solidarity for Palestine demonstration. Yet, despite that, it is only Rangers supporters that appear to be blamed for disregarding coronavirus regulations. It should not be one rule for some and another one for others, regardless of the reason for people taking to the streets.

In other news, Rangers fans are livid at this article.

Manchester City’s hopes of signing Andre Silva this summer are over after the Portuguese international agreed on a move to Bundesliga side RB Leipzig.

According to football journalist Fabrizio Romano, the striker will join RB Leipzig from fellow German side Eintracht Frankfurt this summer, following a superb campaign that saw him hit 29 goals in all competitions.

Only Robert Lewandowski scored more goals than the 25-year-old in the German top-flight last season, so it was no surprise when Manchester City were linked with his signing, as a potential alternative to the more expensive options of Harry Kane and Erling Haaland.

City are very much in the market for a striker this summer as they look to replace the legendary Sergio Aguero after he joined Barcelona, and Silva could well have added the instinctual finishing tht Guardiola’s side lacked on a number of occasions last season.

Whilst they ran away with the Premier League title and sealed their customary Carabao Cup trophy, they fell short in the FA Cup and Champions League and arguably need a more clinical finisher than Gabriel Jesus next season if they are to achieve their aspirations in Europe.

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After signing permanently from AC Milan last summer following an impressive loan spell, the “phenomenal” Silva was in sensational form last season, contributing 28 goals and five assists in just 32 Bundesliga appearances, averaging a superb 7.51 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

This was enough to rank him as the fifth-best player in the German top-flight last season, so certainly could have been a strong addition to Guardiola’s side this summer, especially when you consider that Ilkay Gundogan finished as City’s top scorer in the Premier League with just 13 goals.

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Unfortunately for Guardiola, Silva will be plying his trade at the Red Bull Arena next season, and the Spanish manager will surely be gutted that another of City’s potential striker targets is no longer available.

And, in other news… Man City dealt huge injury blow with “world-class” star, Pep surely fuming

Aston Villa right-back Matty Cash should be available for selection against Arsenal after sustaining a minor injury at the weekend, Ashley Preece says. 

The lowdown

Cash started against Wolves on Saturday and played 79 minutes before he was substituted, with Ashley Young coming on in his place.

Manager Dean Smith revealed after the game that he’d been forced off with a dead leg.

Cash is a mainstay of the Villa side, with his Wolves injury threatening to disrupt a 100% Premier League starting record.

Going by WhoScored metrics, the 24-year-old has been his side’s third best player so far this season.  Nobody in the squad has made more tackles per 90 minutes.

Cash, incidentally, ranks in Villa’s top-six earners with a reported weekly salary of £65,000.

The latest

Addressing supporters in a Birmingham Live fan Q&A, Preece wrote: “[I] expect Matty Cash to shake off a dead leg for Arsenal on Friday.”

Meanwhile, an update on the fitness of winger Leon Bailey is expected in Dean Smith’s press conference on Thursday.

The verdict

This will surely come as a relief to Villa supporters. Young would have been able to deputise, but it’s clear that Cash is one of Smith’s most trusted lieutenants.

And they need to muster a response on Friday night against a 12th-placed Arsenal side, having conceded three times in 15 minutes in a dramatic late collapse after Cash’s withdrawal on Saturday.

If Bailey is available for selection too, they’ll probably fancy their chances.

In other news, this Villa starlet is being monitored. 

Luke Hatfield from the Express and Star believes that Sam Johnstone is better than Bernd Leno and would be Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper.

Despite the German being the Gunners number one since joining from Bayer Leverkusen three years ago, Mikel Arteta is looking to add another keeper to his ranks this summer.

David Ornstein has revealed that Johnstone, fresh from his European Championships campaign with England, is being tracked by Arsenal.

Arteta remains in the market for another goalkeeper after Mathew Ryan joined Real Sociedad following his brief spell on loan during the second half of last season, whilst his other senior stopper Runar Alex Runarsson is set to leave after featuring just six times.

But following Johnstone’s outstanding form for West Brom last season, which saw him make more saves than anyone else, even though it allowed him to keep just six clean sheets, Hatfield reckons that he would be targeting the number one spot at the Emirates.

He told The Transfer Tavern:

“He won’t want to be a number two, but I suppose the question is, would he be a number two at Arsenal?

“It seems now that Arsenal made a big mistake when they sold Emi Martinez to Villa because Leno is a player that I was always impressed by, but if Sam Johnstone was there last season, would he be ahead of him in the pecking order? I would say yes, Johnstone is a better keeper than Leno now. He has impressed for West Brom and at England level as well.”

Former Premier League star Carlton Palmer insists that Manchester City will try to sign Harry Kane from Tottenham Hotspur again, even if a deal for Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland makes more financial sense.

City spent the summer pursuing a deal to sign Kane from Spurs but were unable to strike an agreement with chairman Daniel Levy.

It has been reported that a bid worth £75m plus £25m in add-ons was the only one tabled by City, and firmly rejected by Spurs, who were demanding closer to £150m.

Kane subsequently stayed put, while Haaland remains at Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga.

The latter will be available next summer for a fee in the region of £65m, when his release clause becomes active, and Palmer believes that a deal to bring him to City would be a sensible one compared to signing Kane for a huge fee.

But he expects the club to try to bring the England captain in again, be it in January or the summer.

Speaking to The Transfer Tavern, he said: “He’s going to cost you upwards of £200 million, in the deal, and he’s coming on for 29.

“I think that’s a lot of money to pay for a 29-year-old but if he delivers you the Champions League then fine. But if you can get Haaland in for £65 million, and then you put his salary on top, then you’re looking at half that deal and he’s a lot younger so there’s your business. We’ll have to see.

“I think they’ll still go for Harry Kane and they’ll try to bring him in during the next transfer window, for sure.”