Loads of Everton fans have been having their say in the aftermath of the pre-season defeat to Stade Rennais, and one thing everyone agrees on is that Marco Silva needs to change his captain.

Everton were embarrassed in France on Saturday, as the Toffees fell to a 4-1 defeat to Stade Rennais.

The bright spot of the game was Richarlison, who found the only goal for Silva’s side with a smart run and finish, but the defensive frailties have enraged fans.

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The Toffees are in desperate need of a new signing at centre back, and although it’s only pre-season, the cracks are already starting to show.

That is now two disappointing results in a row for Silva, but fans think they may have found a solution to some of the defensive problems.

As much as fans love Phil Jagielka, he is simply not up to the task anymore, and they’re calling for Seamus Coleman to be the new skipper.

You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…

According to a murmuring which appeared on Twitter on Tuesday night, which has since been deleted, Leeds United could be plotting a bid to sign Watford striker Troy Deeney, and Whites fans were quick to deliver their verdict on a potential swoop for the reported £100,000-a-week Premier League man.

The Yorkshire club have suffered a frustrating summer in the transfer market and are in desperate need of signing a new centre-forward having seen Pierre-Michel Lasogga return to Hamburg following a loan spell, Pawel Cibicki and Jay-Roy Grot leave on loan and Marcus Antonsson go on a permanent basis.

Moves for Matej Vydra and Abel Hernandez, who is said to be demanding £100,000-a-week wages, have so far failed to progress, and Deeney would be another expensive capture considering he is reported to be on the same wage Hernandez wants already with the Hornets.

Leeds supporters, some of whom are tipping a Christiansen outcast to thrive under Bielsa after one labelled him as the “best player on the pitch”, took to social media to give their thoughts on a potential swoop for the 30-year-old, and while one said “Troy Deeney and everything is forgiven”, another said “we couldn’t even afford his boots”.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

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Loads of Everton fans have been reacting to the latest transfer update, as Kevin Mirallas has once again gone out on loan.

Everton have confirmed the departure of Mirallas, who will join Serie A side Fiorentina on a one-year loan deal.

In an ideal world the Belgian would have left on a permanent deal, but getting some of his wages off the books will still be a relief.

Marcel Brands and Marco Silva had an awful lot of work to do clearing out some of the “dead wood” this summer, and they’ve made a good start by shifting Mirallas and Ashley Williams.

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The Toffees are still in desperate need of a couple more signings, particularly in defence, so clearing up some room on the wage bill is a huge boost.

Mirallas was a fan favourite when he first arrived at Goodison, racking up 29 Premier League goals and 150 appearances.

The feisty 30 year-old lost his way a bit though, and his inconsistency became more of an issue as time went on.

You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below, where fans are singing Brands’ name over this deal…

Former French international full back Bacary Sagna has signed for Major League Soccer side Montreal Impact in a deal that takes him to the end of the 2018 season, with an option of a further year in 2019.

The ex-Premier League full-back, who played over 350 matches for Arsenal and Manchester City, is setting off on a new adventure to the French-speaking city in a move that represents a major coup for Montreal. Sagna, who was being chased by a plethora of clubs both in the MLS and around Europe, finally opted for the Quebec=based side.

In an exclusive interview given to FootballFanCast.com, Sagna explained his thinking behind the move.

“I am at a stage of my career where it is all about new experiences and challenges for me,” said Sagna. “I have played at the top level in European football, across three great leagues and also on the global stage for my country. Now is the right time for me to make the move to the MLS. I have always kept an eye on the league and have watched a lot of the matches, both in person and on TV.

“It is a league that has grown massively in stature, with some of the biggest names in world football competing against each other every week. The past few years has seen the global TV audience grow season upon season – each year there are new clubs springing up, new world class stadiums being opened and bigger fan bases. You can feel the buzz around the MLS from lots of my fellow pros. I understand the idea is to increase the number of teams in the league and ultimately that can only be a good thing for grass roots soccer in the USA and Canada.

“Yes, there were some great offers elsewhere from some very good clubs in the MLS and Europe and I was flattered to receive many of them but going to Montreal feels right for many reasons. The Impact head coach, Remi Garde, is someone I have a lot of respect for. I spoke at length with him and he made me feel wanted. He explained the project at hand, the way his side sets up and why he would like me in his team.

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“I also talked with a few others about Montreal as a club and only heard great things about the fans, the Club President Joey Saputo, as well as some of the other key people and staff involved there. On top of this, Montreal is one the great cultural cities within the Americas, with its diversity and great lifestyle. It is also a city with huge sporting traditions and I cannot wait to make my own mark here. I hope the knowledge and experience I have gained throughout my career is going to help the club be successful.

“This is going to be a great journey for me and my family. I sincerely hope that I can bring a smile or two to the faces of all the Impact fans. I can’t wait to get started and embrace all that the club and the city has to offer. Exciting times lie ahead for sure.”

According to a recent report from BBC Scotland, Alfredo Morelos has been linked with a move away from Rangers this month. The 22-year-old only joined the Scottish giants in the summer of 2017 and has since been an absolute revelation north of the border, netting 21 goals in 50 games for the Light Blues to underline his status as one of the club’s most prized assets.

And reports suggest that French side Bordeaux have launched a £3.75 million bid for the striker, which has subsequently been rejected by Steven Gerrard’s side, but were they to cave in and sell the £2.03 million-rated ace (as per Transfermarkt) this month, they can wave goodbye to a serious title challenge.

The Breakdown

Ultimately, there is little doubting that new boss Gerrard has done some very shrewd business in bringing in no fewer than 11 players to Ibrox, ranging from experience in the form of Allan McGregor and Scott Arfield to exciting young talents in Ovie Ejaria and Ryan Kent.

And while all 11 will bring further quality and depth to a squad that finished third last season, to seriously sustain a Scottish Premiership title challenge this term, Gerrard will also have to keep hold of the club’s best players – Morelos certainly falls into that category.

While the signings of former boss Pedro Caixinha have been questioned by many in the last 12 months or so, the Colombian star has without doubt been one of his better finds in bagging a sensational 18 goals and laying on eight assists for the Light Blues last season, helping them to third place in the league, as well as the last four of the Scottish Cup.

Thus, the 22-year-old comfortably finished as the club’s top-scorer to underline just how integral he is to the side going forward, and with just he and Josh Windass, who left the club for Wigan Athletic last week, reaching double figures last term, it’s clear that taking Morelos out of the side could prove to be disastrous for Gerrard’s side this season.

Add in the three goals he has already scored in helping the Gers win one and draw the other of their opening two league games, as well as close in on a place in the Europa League group stages, and it’s absolutely imperative that Rangers keep hold of the 22-year-old this season if they are to move forward under Gerrard, both this term and in years to come.

The Light Blues simply cannot be in the business of selling their best players if they are to again become a dominant force in Scotland, and given the struggles Celtic appear to be showing at present, there may be an opportunity to make serious inroads this time round.

But they cannot do that without the goals and overall influence of Morelos, which is why they can wave goodbye to a possible title challenge if they let the 22-year-old go this month.

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

https://opinions.footballfancast.com/poll_rating/should-glen-middleton-start-vs-kille/

According to The Sun, James Collins could be offered a one-year contract by West Ham, just three months after the club released him as he wasn’t in new boss Manuel Pellegrini’s plans, but Celtic should consider offering him a short-term contract.

What’s the story?

The Sun reports that the 35-year-old has been back training with the Hammers to keep up his fitness, but first choice centre-back Winston Reid will be out for a further two months with a knee injury and there is pressure for Collins to be given a contract in order to provide competition for Angelo Ogbonna and new signing Fabian Balbuena.

Astonishingly, after 11 years at the East London club, Collins found out about his release this summer over email, as Pellegrini went on to make nine signings during the transfer window.

The Hammers have lost their opening two Premier League games, with a 4-0 defeat to Liverpool and a 2-1 home loss to Bournemouth piling the pressure on Pellegrini already.

Defensive troubles

Another side seemingly in desperate need of a centre-back is Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic, with Dedryck Boyata still ruling himself out as he looks to force a move away from Parkhead.

The Bhoys were linked with moves for Jeffrey Bruma and Scott McKenna, and even had a bid of around £3.5m for McKenna rejected by Aberdeen, according to the BBC.

Celtic were knocked out of the Champions League at the qualifying stage by AEK Athens and lost to Hearts 1-0 in the SPL during what has been a slow start to the season, but Collins could come in and sure up the side at the back. His experience would be invaluable for Rodgers and the Northern Irishman should make a move before West Ham do.

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Manchester City were unsuccessful in their efforts to sign a new centre-midfielder in the summer.

Pep Guardiola had identified Napoli’s Jorginho as the perfect option to add to the engine room, but the Italian joined Chelsea at the final hour after Maurizio Sarri was announced as their new manager. The Spaniard was unable to make another significant signing before the window slammed shut. The £60m capture of Riyad Mahrez was his only major deal.

The ex-Barcelona boss was also dealt a cruel injury blow this week with Kevin de Bruyne sustaining an injury in training. The Belgian was pictured on crutches during the premiere of Amazon’s documentary featuring the Citizens. BBC Sports report De Bruyne suffered a lateral cruciate ligament injury and will be sidelined for three months leaving Guardiola light on options in midfield.

To bolster his ranks, Guardiola should attempt to sign Arsenal midfielder, Aaron Ramsey, when the transfer window reopens in January. Valued at £40.5m by Transfermarkt, the Welshman is yet to pen an extension on his deal that expires in the summer of 2019. Ramsey could be set to follow the likes of Robin Van Persie and Samir Nasri in swapping North London for Manchester.

The 27-year-old was a shining light in a poor season for the Gunners last season, bagging seven goals and notching eight assists in just 24 Premier League appearances. Ramsey also hit four goals in six Europa League appearances with Arsenal reaching the semi-final before losing to Atletico Madrid. Under Guardiola’s tutelage, Ramsey could become a world-class midfielder.

Poaching the Wales international from Arsenal would give Guardiola another quality option in the centre of midfield and a long-term replacement for David Silva. It would also significantly weaken a Premier League rival with Ramsey emerging as a crucial player at the Emirates in recent seasons.

The prospect of playing under Guardiola and winning trophies will be difficult to reject – City should make Ramsey their number one target in January.

Manchester City fans, thoughts?

Loads of Celtic fans have been reacting to the latest transfer news, as Olivier Ntcham is reportedly in line for a new contract.

According to The Daily Record (22:40), Celtic are lining up a new deal for Ntcham to fend off transfer interest.

Brendan Rodgers confirmed the news, saying: “There was interest in Olivier but we sat down with him and his representatives and talked through the plan.”

He’s been here one year and it shows the development he’s had with the interest shown in him. We’re not ready to sell.”

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The French midfielder has been one of the few Celtic players to actually start this season in good form, so it would be a disaster to lose him this late in the window.

West Ham were linked with a move for Ntcham earlier this summer, and most fans are breathing a huge sigh of relief over the contract talks, while a few suspect the “like a new signing” cliché will be in full effect.

It remains to be seen whether his compatriot Moussa Dembele will still be a Celtic player when the window slams shut tomorrow, but at 22 Ntcham has a lot more to offer.

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It’s been a hugely disappointing transfer window for the Hoops, but loads of fans have been reacting to the Ntcham news, and you can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…

Southampton picked up just their fourth Premier League win of 2018 and their first this season as they beat Crystal Palace 2-0 at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

Despite playing well for the opening 55 minutes the previous week, Saints ended up on the losing side of a 2-1 scoreline against Leicester City at St Mary’s, and having taken one point from nine available there was early concerns that they could find themselves in another relegation battle again this season.

Those fears were certainly alleviated to some extent against the Eagles in what was another largely dominant display from the south coast outfit, with second-half goals from Danny Ings and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg proving to be the difference.

Summer signing Mo Elyounoussi started for the third time in the space of a week for the trip to face Roy Hodgson’s side, and despite hitting the woodwork at one stage he is yet to show that he can make the same impact in England that he often did for Basel in Switzerland and the Champions League.

Despite an outstanding loan spell with Fulham last term in which he played a key role in the Cottagers winning promotion to the Premier League, Matt Targett has found first-team minutes hard to come by for Southampton so far this term – not helped by the fact he finds himself behind Ryan Bertrand in the pecking order for the left-back position.

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Nevertheless, the 22-year-old, whom Saints fans on Twitter were desperate to keep during the summer following bids for his services from Fulham, replaced Elyounoussi in the 72nd minute against Palace and showed his composure and quality to assist Hojbjerg’s goal in injury-time, and it is getting to the stage where he should be given an opportunity in the starting XI.

While captain Bertrand won’t be getting displaced anytime soon, Targett could certainly play further forward on the left because of the attributes he has, and that would allow another in-form player in Nathan Redmond to move to the right – which would of course see Elyounoussi drop to the bench.

So, Southampton fans, do you think Targett should be handed a starting spot ahead of Elyounoussi? Let us know by voting below…

Celtic have been linked with several strikers to replace Moussa Dembele, and 78 per cent of fans think they should change course completely and target struggling wonderkid Breel Embolo.

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Gabby Agbonlahor has become the latest striker to be linked with a move to Celtic, as the free agent issued a “come and get me” plea after taking part in the charity match at Celtic Park.

While Agbonlahor would be a short-term solution, the Hoops would be much better served looking at long-term solutions, and partnering Embolo with the ever-improving Odsonne Edouard could be lethal.

Embolo was extremely highly rated as a teenager, scoring 31 and adding 22 assists for FC Basel.

A serious ankle injury and a dip in form and confidence has derailed his career since moving to Schalke though, and valued at just £16.2m by Transfermarkt the Hoops should definitely be eyeing him up.

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A fresh start in a different league could help him rediscover the form that has earned him 29 Switzerland caps at just 21 years of age, and the opportunity to play in Europe year in year out alongside fellow wonderkid Edouard could just tempt him to Celtic Park.

A whopping 78 per cent of fans are backing the move, and you can find the full poll results down below…