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England mounted a dramatic comeback at Wembley Stadium on Sunday afternoon against Croatia to ensure that they topped their Nations League group and will proceed to the semi-finals stage at the expense of Spain and Croatia.

The all-important goals for the Three Lions came courtesy of Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard and Tottenham striker Harry Kane. Gareth Southgate will reflect upon the 2-1 win as a job well done and evidence that his side are continuing to progress after their wonderful World Cup run in the summer.

Watch Playmaker FC’s Thogden react to England’s dramatic second-half comeback against Croatia in the video below…

It was the introduction of Lingard, in the 72nd minute, that sparked the homes side’s fightback into life. Although he had been afforded little time the change the game, Lingard still managed to make a big contribution for his team at both ends of the pitch.

The 25-year-old only had time to muster one shot during his time on the pitch, but it ended up in the back of the net as he stepped up in a timely manner to ensure that Kane’s trickling effort absolutely did cross the line.

Not only did Lingard level the scores, he also saved his side defensively when he blocked a goal-bound Croatia effort on his own goal-line. The 22-cap international also managed to make a well-timed interception to help relieve the pressure building on his side.

Considering Lingard was only on the pitch long enough to amass nine touches and complete six passes, the impact he had on the outcome of the crucial fixture was hugely impressive and also solidifies his importance to Southgate’s improving young squad.

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According to reports in The Sun, Leeds United are lining up an ambitious January swoop for out-of-favour Tottenham Hotspur striker Fernando Llorente.

The Yorkshire outfit came into the campaign with Kemar Roofe, Patrick Bamford and Tyler Roberts as their centre-forward options, but all three players have suffered injury issues to leave Marcelo Bielsa with little depth up top.

Bringing the 33-year-old Spaniard to Elland Road would certainly go some way to sorting that problem as the Whites look to win promotion to the Premier League, but it would also have some big implications for some of their players.

Harrison finally shines

There was a lot of excitement when Leeds signed the Manchester City wide man on a season-long loan deal during the summer, but the 22-year-old has largely struggled to make an impact when he has been on the pitch for them in the Championship.

The winger has no goals and just the one assist in 12 league appearances thus far, and perhaps one of the reasons for that is because he has had no focal point to aim for in the box when he is crossing.

Having the giant Llorente waiting in the penalty area would certainly change that, and his presence could finally allow Harrison to show the potential he clearly has.

Check out the video below to see how Brazil fans reacted to being asked how Cristiano Ronaldo would peform for them in a hilarious prank by Playmaker FC…

Bad news for Alioski

Should Llorente arrive in Yorkshire you would expect that he would be a guaranteed starter given he is dropping down into the Championship, and that would leave Alioski in a sticky situation.

Like Harrison, the Macedonia international perhaps hasn’t made as much of an impact as he would have liked this term, and he has no goals and just one assist in his previous eight league outings.

The presence of Llorente up top would likely see Roofe drop back – potentially to Alioski’s preferred left-hand side position – which could see the player who has been a regular under Bielsa drop to the substitutes’ bench.

According to a recent report from The Daily Mirror, Newcastle United are one side interested in landing Ruben Loftus-Cheek in January. The 22-year-old currently plays his football at Premier League giants Chelsea having come up through the youth ranks at Stamford Bridge, although a lack of regular game time under new boss Maurizio Sarri has called his future at the club into question.

And reports suggest that Rafa Benitez’s Magpies, alongside the likes of Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, and West Ham, are reportedly keen on the midfielder, which is a race the North East giants simply have to win if they are to upgrade on Ayoze Perez.

The Breakdown

Ultimately, Benitez’s men have struggled for goals pretty much ever since they returned to the Premier League back in 2017, netting on just 39 occasions last time round, and having managed only 11 goals in their opening 14 matches of this current campaign.

And while Perez deserves great credit for finishing as the club’s top goal-scorer last time round with ten, he simply doesn’t have the creativity and flair required in that number ten role to help take the Magpies forward – he’s far too defensive-minded.

Yes, he has come up with key goals at key times for Newcastle in the last 12 months or so, but if Benitez is serious about taking the club forward and potentially towards the European spots, he needs a more attack-minded midfielder to wrestle the number ten position away from Perez – Loftus-Cheek is his man.

The Chelsea star enjoyed a richly rewarding loan spell at Crystal Palace last season to thus earn a deserved place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad at this summer’s World Cup – much of what good Palace did in the final third last term came through the 22-year-old.

And with a few impressive cameos for the Three Lions in Russia, Loftus-Cheek has certainly come on leaps and bounds in the last 12 months, yet Sarri has afforded him just four Premier League appearances so far this term – the embarrassment of riches Chelsea have in the midfield and attacking ranks has left the 22-year-old down the pecking order.

Thus, not only would Newcastle benefit greatly from a player of Loftus-Cheek’s ability, but the man himself would benefit from regular football at a huge club like Newcastle – at the age of 22, he needs to be playing more regularly than he is currently.

And Benitez may be able to afford him that at St James’ Park, and with the Magpies clearly in need of upgrading on Perez in the attacking midfield role, they must look no further than £16.2 million-rated Loftus-Cheek (as per Transfermarkt) come the New Year.

Newcastle fans… what do you think? Let us know!

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Persistent injury issues and additions to the squad have seen Adam Lallana tumble down the Liverpool pecking order. The attacking midfielder’s career at Anfield has stalled to such an extent that the wise move for him now would be to seek pastures new.

What’s the word?

Lallana’s career is in need of reinvigoration. However, given the competition of James Milner, Naby Keita, Sheridan Shaqiri and Giorginio Wijnaldum, amongst others, Lallana will never get the regular game time he needs at Liverpool to get back to his best.

Considering that the 30-year-old is clearly surplus to requirements at Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp would likely sanction a loan exit for the midfielder in January.

Playmaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals he would have snubbed Tottenham for Arsenal if they’d come knocking in 2005…

Plenty of Premier League clubs ought to be interested in acquiring Lallana for the second half of the season, but Southampton should do all they can to ensure that they win the race to his signature. 

A wise move

Lallana spent eight years with the Saints, between 2006 and 2014, making over 250 appearances and scoring 60 goals for the south coast club in that time.

Southampton could certainly do with a player like Lallana now. Their squad desperately lacks creativity and midfield goal threat. New manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has a big job on his hands at St Mary’s Stadium, but a few smart transfer acquisitions in the winter window will certainly make his task much easier.

Landing Lallana on a loan deal would certainly represent a wise move. The 34-cap England man’s invention, drive and technical quality would be a major boost to the Saints’ squad, and he would be perfectly suited to play an attacking role in the Austrian’s preferred 4-2-2-2 formation.

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A new manager’s first transfer window at a club offers him an opportunity to stamp his mark on the squad. With Ralph Hasenhuttl now in charge of struggling Southampton, and the January transfer window approaching, it would appear that the German coach has plenty of business to be getting on with.

On the chalkboard

With the Saints looking set for yet another relegation scrap, conventional wisdom dictates that several arrivals are needed at St Mary’s Stadium to help the south coast club avoid the drop to the Championship.

However, outgoings have to be of a higher priority for the former RB Leipzig boss. The likes of Manolo Gabbiadini and Steven Davis must be moved on sooner rather than later as they are clearly now surplus to requirements for the Saints, and their departures would free up a significant amount of the wage budget.

Former Wigan & Fulham man, Jimmy Bullard recently showed that he’s still got it! Check out the video below...

When it comes to new signings, Hasenhuttl may want to consider bucking the trend in this respect. The new coach ought to recognise that he has a strong squad at his disposal, and if he can get key figures fit and firing then he doesn’t actually need any new faces.

Working with what he has

The likes of Danny Ings and Charlie Austin can provide goals, if their fitness doesn’t let them down. Nathan Redmond and Mohamed Elyounoussi provide space and drive on the wings, whilst Mario Lemina, Oriol Romeu, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Stuart Armstrong represent a versatile and well-balanced midfield contingent. 

Saints also boast plenty of depth at the back, and have some exciting young talents emerging such as Yan Valery and Michael Obafemi.

It may not excite too many Southampton fans, but by recognising that he already has all the necessary raw materials to hand, Hasenhuttl can focus on coaching and whipping his squad into shape throughout January, away from the distractions of the transfer market rat race.

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Liverpool midfielder Fabinho has been talking about life at the club with his game time slowly increasing following a slow start after his summer move from Monaco, and some of his comments about manager Jurgen Klopp might shockReds fans.

From the outside in the German gives off a strong vibe that he is close to and communicates well with all of his players behind the scenes, but the Brazilian has suggested that it isn’t always the case.

After a tough start in which he found it tough to break into the XI, the 25-year-old has now started five of the Merseyside outfit’s previous six games at Anfield, winning the man of the match award against Everton and Manchester United.

What did he say?

Well, the 25-year-old told LiverpoolFC.com:

“We don’t talk a lot, but whenever we’re doing tactical training he stops to talk.

“Sometimes he’ll speak to me individually and he’ll tell me how he wants me to play in terms of positioning, whether it be zonally or whether he wants me to mark a man or play at the back of the midfield.

“So we don’t have long conversations, but whenever he identifies a way I can improve, he calls me over.”

What do his comments mean?

As we mentioned previously it is something of a surprise that Klopp doesn’t talk to Fabinho a lot given he is a recent signing who seemingly struggled to make the transition to English football, and life at Liverpool in general given his lack of minutes earlier in the campaign.

The German comes across as a manager who would put his arm around a struggling player, but instead it appears as though he simply kept it short and tactical about what the Brazilian needed to do to become an instant pick in the starting XI.

The quotes from Fabinho suggest that Leonardo Jardim gave him more attention at Monaco, but the current situation will be something he needs to get used to in the future, and given Liverpool’s position in the Premier League it is a system that is working well for Klopp and his players.

Roberto Firmino has thrown a party themed around the colour of his teeth! Watch the video above to find out what we’re talking about…

Southampton should offer Newcastle a swap deal including Manolo Gabbiadini to sign midfield ace Jonjo Shelvey.

What’s the word?

Gabbiadini has proven not to be a key part of Ralph Hasenhuttl’s plans at St Mary’s since the Austrian’s appointment.

Bar the final 15 minutes away to Cardiff, the Italian striker has not been included in a matchday squad, with Danny Ings, Shane Long, Michael Obafemi and Charlie Austin all preferred options.

Rather than continuing to pay the 6 foot 1 forward’s £80,000 a week contract, Saints could look to cash in on the £9million-rated striker by offering his services to Newcastle, who are short in attacking options.

Heading into the final fixtures of 2018, Rafa Benitez has called on Salomon Rondon, Joselu and Yoshinori Muto to lead the line at St James’ Park, with only the on-loan West Bromwich Albion forward netting more than twice with his poor hit rate of four in 13.

A loan move for Gabbiadini would be out of the question, with the north-east outfit maxed on domestic loan signings with Chelsea’s Kenedy joining Rondon, but Saints could look to capture Shelvey in any negotiations.

Check out the video below to see how Brazil fans reacted to being asked how Cristiano Ronaldo would perform for them in a hilarious prank by Playmaker FC…

Ralph Hasenhuttl would love Jonjo Shelvey

The £13.5million rated midfielder has featured for just 20 minutes in Newcastle’s past eight games, having started six in a row prior to his 51st minute substitution at home to Watford, because of injury, and he has been a big miss for the Toon Army.

During that period, the 26-year-old starred in defeats to Manchester United – assisting Muto’s tenth minute strike – and Brighton – Newcastle’s clear best player in both fixtures.

If Southampton were to sign the six-time England senior international, Hasenhuttl would have a deep-lying midfielder to adore, having worked wonders with a 3-4-2-1.

Shelvey’s ability to spread the ball from deep with pin-point long, key passes would allow him to act as a second Oriol Romeu, who has been a favourite so far under Hasenhuttl having been dropped by predecessor Mark Hughes.

The Romford-born ace would also prepare the club for a possible bid by Paris Saint-Germain for Mario Lemina, who has emerged on a shortlist to replace Adrien Rabiot.

Ki Sung-Yeung’s involvement in the Asian Cup for his native South Korea may hamper any negotiations, however, and could push any potential deal back until late January.

Everton host League Two leaders Lincoln City at Goodison Park in an FA Cup third round clash on Saturday afternoon.

Despite being heavy favourites, the Toffees come into the game in poor form, and Marco Silva may consider rotating his team in order to spark a response against the Imps.

Check out Neymar’s controversial new haircut for 2019 and Xherdan Shaqiri as you’ve never seen him before in the video below…

One player who could come into the starting XI as a result of this rotation is Oumar Niasse. The 9-cap Senegal international striker has scarcely featured for the Merseyside club at all so far this season, but with Cenk Tosun struggling for form, this FA Cup fixture could be a golden opportunity for Niasse to stake his claim for greater Premier League involvement.

Should the 28-year-old get his chance to start against the Imps, he has the quality to punish the lower league opposition. Silva, then, should give Niasse this opportunity to shine.

Many Everton fans, however, are less convinced that Niasse should start. Of those who took part in our poll, just 49% voted in favour of the forward making the starting XI, which suggests that the Toffees faithful are divided on this issue. See the full results below.

[ad_pod ]Nottingham Forest sent out a statement on Friday morning saying that manager Aitor Karanka had been asked to be released from his contract at The City Ground, and fans of arch-rivals Derby County were quick to react on Twitter.There had been murmurings for a few weeks now that the Spaniard was under pressure even though his team lie in seventh position and just four points adrift of the play-off positions going into this weekend’s Championship fixtures, and he has now left.The decision proves that Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis wants promotion this season and is prepared to do anything to get it, and the east Midlands outfit have plenty of work to do to achieve that given they currently trail Frank Lampard’s men in sixth position by four points.Pl>ymaker FC’s Matchday With Max was at the East Midlands Derby in December. Check out Forest and Derby fans thoughts on their respective managers in the video below…Derby supporters took to social media to give their thoughts on the decision, and while one labelled it as “shambolic and idiotic”, another said he was “basically too good for #NFFC anyway”.Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…[EMBED_TWITTER]https://twitter.com/DCFCJonnyMonty/status/1083687504941850625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw[/EMBED_TWITTER][EMBED_TWITTER]https://twitter.com/LiamWTSterling/status/1083678453709357056[/EMBED_TWITTER][EMBED_TWITTER]https://twitter.com/utilityRam/status/1083660896923197442[/EMBED_TWITTER][EMBED_TWITTER]https://twitter.com/SnapDcfc/status/1083650204157513728[/EMBED_TWITTER][EMBED_TWITTER]https://twitter.com/PaddyFinan/status/1083650175023964160[/EMBED_TWITTER][EMBED_TWITTER]https://twitter.com/danielwarren88/status/1083649046575833088[/EMBED_TWITTER][EMBED_TWITTER]https://twitter.com/dazw71/status/1083649026472529920[/EMBED_TWITTER][EMBED_TWITTER]https://twitter.com/RayTinner/status/1083648013854228480[/EMBED_TWITTER][EMBED_TWITTER]https://twitter.com/DerbyDave1980/status/1083660667809337344[/EMBED_TWITTER][EMBED_TWITTER]https://twitter.com/JamesHodson/status/1083653469347696641[/EMBED_TWITTER][EMBED_TWITTER]https://twitter.com/aspirams/status/1083643239738028032[/EMBED_TWITTER]

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The BBC recently reported that former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel is now a free agent and seeking a new club, having had his contract with Chinese Super League outfit Tianjin Teda terminated by mutual consent.

The 31-year-old ought to attract the attention of plenty of suitors as he is still more than capable of playing at a high level of the game. A return to the Premier League could even be on the cards for the 85-cap Nigeria international, and Southampton would be wise to offer him that chance.

Check out Neymar’s controversial new haircut for 2019 and Xherdan Shaqiri as you’ve never seen him before in the video below…

The Saints could do with some additional midfield depth and Obi Mikel’s experience and defensive diligence ought to make him a valuable member of Ralph Hasenhuttl’s squad. As a free agent, Obi Mikel also represents a very affordable target for the south coast club to pursue.

However, many Saints fans are unconvinced that signing the two-time Premier League winner would be a smart move. Of those who took part in our poll, 59% voted against bringing the midfielder to St Mary’s Stadium. See the full results below.