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As confirmed by the club, Norwich City loanee Ben Gibson will miss the rest of the 2020/21 Championship season following an ankle ligament injury, prompting many supporters to voice their despair as this ‘awful news’ emerges.

Gibson – who has been a mainstay under Daniel Farke this season, starting 26 matches in England’s second tier (WhoScored) – will now be absent for the remainder of the promotion-chasing campaign.

The 28-year-old has helped guide Farke’s table-topping Canaries to within touching distance of promotion back to the Premier League, but news of him being ruled out for their remaining matches has resulted in some concern.

Gibson and centre-back partner Grant Hanley are regarded by some sections of the press as potentially Farke’s best-ever defensive pairing in his time at Norwich, leaving little wonder as to why one of the duo’s absence has prompted discussion on social media.

Find some of the supporters’ verdicts on this news below.

Norwich City fans erupt over Gibson injury

“Awful news but he will be back stronger”

Credit: @Airheadange

“oh my God, Ben please take my ankle, you need it more than me”

Credit: @nikosrobinson

“This is a massive blow”

Credit: @mattterry08

“such sad news 🙁 he’s been immense for us! hope you come back stronger”

Credit: @aimeencfc18

“Ahhhh gutted. This will be a big loss.

Get well soon Gibson”

Credit: @RoryHaczewski

“He’s been superb for us this season. Gutted”

Credit: @lewisjarrett4

“That’s a big blow.”

Credit: @sji1616

In other news: Norwich City transfers that shook the club, read more about it here.

Peterborough Director of Football Barry Fry has exclusively told Football FanCast that Ivan Toney would be a good fit for West Ham.

Toney is currently plying his trade in the Championship with Brentford having been sold by Fry to the Bees last summer for an eight-figure fee.

And the 5 ft 10 former Newcastle United man has taken the second-tier by storm this term, keeping Brentford in touch with the automatic promotion places despite their recent dip in form.

Whether Brentford do get promoted, it appears more than likely Toney will be playing in the Premier League next season in some capacity having already been strongly linked with Leeds, Arsenal and West Ham.

The latter are going to need another centre-forward this summer after failing to replace Sebastien Haller in January, and Fry believes that Toney would be interested in a move to the London Stadium.

He told Football FanCast:

“Ivan’s settled in, scored the goals he has, played the way he has and would be interested, but it would cost a lot more from Brentford than it did from me.

“But it’s one they’re looking at and one that would improve the squad. They are brilliant at set-pieces, and I think if they got Ivan it would add to that – they’re one of the best in the country at scoring goals from set-pieces and with Ivan that would only improve.”

But with a host of top-flight sides already keeping a close eye on the striker, Fry has warned West Ham’s owners they can expect to face competition for his signature.

He added:

“But as I said to David, there will be a lot of clubs, and if Brentford don’t go up half of the Premier League will want Ivan. Even if they do go up, some of the biggest clubs in the Premier League will want Ivan Toney.”

A number of Liverpool supporters have been reacting to the Reds’ starting lineup to face Aston Villa.

The Premier League champions are back in action on Saturday afternoon, as they look to respond after their midweek defeat away to Real Madrid.

Jurgen Klopp’s men host a Villa side who also have top-four aspirations, highlighting the importance of the outcome at Anfield.

Not only that, but Liverpool are looking to stop a shocking run of six home defeats in a row – something that nobody would have predicted last summer.

Klopp has named his starting XI to take on Villa, with the German making two changes to the team that lost to Madrid.

Alisson continues in goal, while Trent Alexander-Arnold, Nathaniel Phillips, Ozan Kabak and Andy Robertson make up the back-line.

In midfield, Fabinho is joined by James Milner and Gini Wijnaldum, while Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino start in attack, meaning Sadio Mane is left out.

Liverpool fans react to XI to face Aston Villa

These Liverpool fans have been providing their thoughts on the team on Twitter, with Mane’s omission the main talking point.

“Think it’s the right call to take Mane out today. Ben Davies makes the bench with Neco Williams and Origi still out”

Credit: @JackSear

“Good. Needs a rest & has been poor in recent times”

Credit: @hayb81

“Not surprised to see Sadio Mane left out of the starting XI for LFC. Needs a rest and good for Jurgen Klopp to have an option to turn to off the bench if he needs one”

Credit: @MattAddison97

“About time”

Credit: @SteMcP

“Mane just had to be left out. Correct call”

Credit: @HenryJackson87

“Oh man. I don’t mind the line-up too much but again why would you leave Thiago on the bench?? And thank God that Mane guy was dropped. I really can’t stand seeing him play rn. Let’s get this win boys!!!”

Credit: @I_Am_Artanis

In other news, some Liverpool fans have been showing their support for one Reds player – find out who it is here.

Carlo Ancelotti should urge Everton to make a move to sign Andrea Belotti in the summer transfer window, amid claims the striker is considering his future with Serie A side Torino.

What’s the word?

According to Corriere Dello Sport, Belotti is refusing to sign a new contract at the Olympic Grande Torino Stadium despite the efforts of President Urbano Cairo.

The 27-year-old is set to enter the final year of his current £68,000-per-week deal in June, but is beginning to show an interest in a move away after six seasons with Il Toro.

Everton were credited with an interest in Belotti earlier this month by Corriere Granata, who claimed the forward also had suitors in Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United plus at least five sides in Italy and a handful from Germany and Spain.

Corriere Dello Sport anticipate AS Roma and AC Milan to make efforts to sign Belotti in the off-season should he leave Torino, where he is the captain of Davide Nicola’s side and has 11 goals and six assists in 26 Serie A appearances this term.

It is noted that Belotti would consider a move to the Stadio Olimpico as he is fascinated by the city of Rome and the work of CEO Tiago Pinto in rejuvenating Paulo Fonseca’s squad, despite the Giallorossi not being expected to have Champions League football next season.

The 32-cap Italy striker is also understood to have a number of friends in the Roma dressing room from the national side, but Pinto will not pursue a deal should Milan present an offer worth €25m (£21.5m) as predicted.

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Pinto will only pursue Belotti under certain conditions, while doubt also remains in the future of Fonseca and potential successors Maurizio Sarri, Julian Nagelsmann or Sergio Conceicao may not be as fond of a move for Belotti as the Portuguese.

Should Everton sign Torino’s Belotti?

Any hesitancy from Roma in pursuing a deal for Belotti should be seen as a huge boost for Everton and Ancelotti, as the Goodison Park natives are likely to be in the market for a new centre-forward this summer and the Italian represents an ideal candidate to target.

The Toffees are not expected to retain Joshua King beyond the short-term contract he signed upon his arrival in the winter transfer market, while claims have arisen that offers will be considered for Cenk Tosun and Moise Kean.

Ancelotti would not be expected to regret letting King – plus Tosun or Kean – leave in the summer if the Italian has Belotti at his disposal, especially if he is available for around a quarter of his €100m release clause (£86.5m) for foreign sides.

Torino boss Nicola lauds Belotti for being a “unique” forward and appreciates the UC AlbinoLeffe product for his “technical qualities but also for his spirit”, which have seen him score 103 goals and provide 25 assists in 219 career Il Toro appearances in all competitions.

Veteran Torino midfielder Tomas Rincon also praises Belotti for his drive and work in harrying opponents, as the 5 ft 11 forward “has given us so much joy with his goals”.

And, former England number one Joe Hart dubbed the forward as “special” and with an “instinct for goals”, while Torino president, Urbano Cairo, hailed him as a “real captain”.

Ancelotti should implore Everton to sign the £36m-rated Belotti in the summer when he waves goodbye to King, and hire a true challenger who can push Dominic Calvert-Lewin to perform at his best and help sustain the Toffees’ European qualifying challenge.

AND in other news, Everton have eyes on a “very good” £3.5m-rated forward available on a free transfer…

David Moyes must put his foot down and reject a rumoured swap deal involving West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice and Chelsea’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

What’s the word?

According to the Express, Loftus-Cheek is one of three players the Stamford Bridge outfit may look to present in exchange for Rice’s signature this summer.

Chelsea failed to sign Rice last year when West Ham held firm at an £80m valuation, and the Irons are thought to have since increased their asking price to £100m.

Frank Lampard’s sacking was expected to bring a halt to the Blues’ interest in taking Rice back to south west London, yet Thomas Tuchel has not scrubbed his predecessors’ plans.

But the German is prioritising the arrival of a new striker and has Erling Haaland and Romelu Lukaku under consideration, which would leave the Blues clutching at straws to fund a pursuit of Rice.

As such, Chelsea are tipped to potentially offer West Ham their choice of Loftus-Cheek, Andreas Christiansen or Tammy Abraham in hopes of bringing down the Hammers’ asking price.

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The London Stadium natives have been linked with a potential move for Abraham recently, while £60,000-per-week Loftus-Cheek is considered to be a direct replacement for Rice.

Should West Ham accept Loftus-Cheek for Rice?

Rice’s services are bound to be highly sought-after among the Premier League’s established elite clubs this summer, after once again proving to be a key part of West Ham’s plans and further establishing himself on the international stage.

The 22-year-old was named as the Man of the Match during England’s recent World Cup qualifying wins over Albania and Poland, despite playing the closing stages of the latter tie with a lateral knee ligament injury.

Rice’s issue meant he missed West Ham’s wins over Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leicester City last week, the first Premier League games that the Irons’ vice-captain had sat out since May 2019 after 68 straight starts.

He already has interest from Manchester United as well, who could use Jesse Lingard to negotiate a lower fee, but reports by The Sun claim West Ham have no interest in selling one star to retain the one they have on loan.

Rival interest will also ensure the Hammers are not in a position where they must accept a downgrade to sell Rice to Chelsea – a player Moyes claims suitors would need “the Bank of England and the Royal Bank of Scotland” to sign.

Loftus-Cheek would certainly be a step down in quality for the Irons, and send out the wrong message to the rest of the squad and potential summer targets over their aspirations of sustaining this season’s remarkable challenge for European football.

The Chelsea man – who Gary Neville claims is “a massive talent” – has struggled to impress consistently this season while on loan with relegation-threatened Fulham, having offered just a single goal and no assists in 26 Premier League games for the Cottagers.

His defensive contributions pale into insignificance beside Rice’s, too, with Loftus-Cheek trailing for tackles (1.9 to 0.9), interceptions (2 to 0.2), fouls committed (0.7 to 1.1) and clearances (1.2 to 0.5) per game in the top-flight this term, per WhoScored.

If Rice is to leave West Ham at the end of the season, they need to be earning top-dollar to sign a ready-made replacement – not accepting discounted approaches for players that will stagnate their progress as a club.

AND in other news, West Ham eye 23-year-old talent once backed to become “world-class”…

Lee Johnson has admitted that it will be ‘extremely difficult’ for Sunderland to earn promotion to the Championship automatically after their latest defeat.

Johnson makes Sunderland admission

The Black Cats lost 1-0 to Blackpool on Saturday, their third defeat in a row after losing 2-1 to both Charlton and Wigan (Sky Sports). They are now eight points behind Peterborough in second place with just five games left to play (BBC).

Speaking after the defeat to the Seasiders, Johnson admitted that his side must now look to earn promotion via the play-offs. He said (via The Chronicle):

“It looks now that it is going to be extremely difficult to get into that top two, which is very disappointing after putting so much effort into getting there.

“Now we have to secure that second chance, but keep going and building performances because you never know it [automatic promotion] might still happen because there are still 15 points to play for.

“We’ve lost three games on the spin, two of those – against Charlton at home and then today – I didn’t think we deserved to lose, but it’s happened.

“There’s not a lot we can do about that.

“There have been three losses, but two of those have been decent performances and the other [at Wigan] was a really bad one.”

Realistic

Prior to this dreadful three-game run, it really looked as though the Wearside outfit had a realistic chance of automatic promotion. They even had their fate in their own hands but, as Johnson has said, the three defeats have all but ended those hopes and they must now concentrate on the play-offs.

They are currently six points clear of seventh place, so they should earn a play-off spot, but they must ensure that they do by bouncing back quickly. Given the way they have battled to be in contention for the top two, it would be a huge shame if they now totally threw away their promotion chances.

In other news, many Sunderland fans slammed this man’s performance against Blackpool.

As Manchester City recover from what has been a torrid last week, losing the FA Cup semi-final clash against Chelsea followed by the European Super League saga, Pep Guardiola’s side are back to winning ways after a 2-1 victory against Aston Villa on Wednesday evening. 

Goals from Phil Foden and Rodrigo clinched a crucial three points from 1-0 down with City now on the way to a fifth Premier League title and third under Guardiola – coming just in time ahead of the Carabao Cup final this weekend.

John McGinn gave Villa a very early lead after John Stones failed to clear a pass in behind though, and the Englishman didn’t exactly have the best evening.

He has arguably been City’s most improved player this season, partnering summer signing Ruben Dias to superb effect, but at Villa Park he played a hand in the home side’s opener and later got sent off for a reckless challenge on Jacob Ramsey – with one fan calling him a ‘liability’ as a result.

Despite his incredible form this season, many Sky Blues weren’t impressed with last night’s showing – with the 26-year-old unsurprisingly managing a measly 5.0 rating on SofaScore.

Find all of their verdicts down below.

Man City fans slam Stones

“We all knew John Stones form was a fugazi, sell him in the summer and bring in Koundé”

Credit: @cxtizn

“Blatant red, Stones has been awful from the first minute”

Credit: @molmcfc

“Stones starting to become liability again. England, Chelsea and this”

Credit: @chrisSw31332053

“John Stones form since his England return has been woeful. Don’t get it”

Credit: @SiCurtis87

“Stones had a shocking game.. At fault for their goal as well..”

Credit: @MCFC_Vision

“Stones has been worryingly shocking recently

– Aston Villa red and cost goal

-BVB didn’t cover Haaland for the goal in the second goal

-England mistake

-Leeds should’ve gone in for the 1st goal and was pathetic slow for the 2nd

Laporte return”

Credit: @acacac2410

“100% a red btw. Stones had a shocking half”

Credit: @mcfctj_

“John Stones look awful today”

Credit: @mac_marb

In other news: Man City fans also flocked to a Romano claim, find out more here.

Former Tottenham captain Graham Roberts has exclusively told Football FanCast that Dele Alli can still become world class, but reckons his lack of effort in training saw him clash with the now-departed Jose Mourinho.

Alli was a regular during Mourinho’s early days at Spurs, but has hardly been used all season since being dropped from the squad following the opening-day defeat to Everton.

That first-half against the Toffees and three other brief appearances from the bench were the midfielder’s only Premier League outings until February, with Alli’s main involvement coming in the Europa League.

He did come back into the frame during Mourinho’s final few months, but never appeared part of the Portuguese’s long-term plans.

Despite his lack of minutes throughout this season, Roberts has backed Alli to reach his full potential at Tottenham.

He told Football FanCast:

“I still think he is going to be world class. It’s going to take a little while now because people have doubts about him.

“I think it’s to do with his training – he’s not the best trainer. I played with players and we’ve all been in those days where we aren’t the best trainers but on a Saturday you scored goals, but Mourinho wouldn’t have that.”

Lalaziosiamonoi.it has revealed that Glasgow Rangers ace Ianis Hagi is on Lazio’s shortlist this summer along with Franck Ribery and Xherdan Shaqiri.

Lazio remain in the hunt for Hagi

Hagi, who signed for 55-time Scottish champions last summer on a permanent deal, has managed seven goals and 12 assists in all competitions this campaign (Transfermarkt).

Lazio are said to be eager to take him to Italy. Ribery and Shaqiri are also on their shortlist – it remains unclear whether they want just one or multiple of their targets, but they are definitely eyeing a playmaker.

Tempting

This is no doubt tempting for all parties. For Hagi, he would have the chance to compete in one of Europe’s top leagues and in European competition – Lazio were in the Champions League earlier this season. The chance to play with a legend such as Ribery, who has 151 career goals to his name, could also be too good to turn down if Lazio make multiple moves.

The Italian outfit have previously been linked with a €13m (£11.3m) offer for the Romania international (Sport.ro) – a fee like that would represent a huge profit on the £3m Rangers paid for him last year (The Scottish Sun). He is also not a totally crucial player for the Gers – while he has played throughout the season, he has never been a guaranteed starter.

Having said all that, Hagi is a talented player and one full season is not long enough for him to find his best level at Ibrox. The temptation will be there to let him go, but perhaps Steven Gerrard should stay patient with 22-year-old for a little while longer, perhaps with a view to cashing in for an even bigger profit next year.

In other news, Rangers fans are livid at this Scottish Cup news.

Liverpool have potentially been handed considerable encouragement in their reported pursuit of Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic.

The Reds have been linked with a move for the Serbian forward in the past, with Milan Live suggesting that the Reds are interested in his services ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.

Now, the Reds could have been handed a huge boost with the 21-year-old reportedly refusing to sign a new deal with Fiorentina, according to journalist Nicolo Schira.

His current deal still has two years to run but with it now ticking down to its expiry, this update could force La Viola to either cash in either this summer or next, or indeed risk losing Vlahovic on a free transfer when his current deal eventually comes to an end.

It goes without saying then that this might encourage Jurgen Klopp and Michael Edwards to follow up their reported interest in the striker.

He would certainly be an excellent addition should they indeed choose to do just that.

Following his breakout season in the 2018/19 season, Vlahovic has really stepped up a gear during the current campaign.

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In 36 appearances in all competitions for Fiorentina, he has scored a fantastic 19 goals and sits behind just Romelu Lukaku and Cristiano Ronaldo in the Serie A scoring charts.

Those sorts of performances are not a surprise with former Fiorentina youth coach Emiliano Bigica previously suggesting that the Serbian could go on to be “one of the best strikers around”.

The news that the £22.5m-rated striker is potentially available in the coming seasons due to his refusal to sign a new contract, will of course then be a huge boost to the Reds and their potential chances of signing him, if Edwards does choose to make an offer.

AND in more news, the Reds have meanwhile been handed what could be a final blow in their interest in Real Betis’ Aissa Mandi…