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West Ham United briefly moved back up to fifth after securing a 2-1 win over 10-man Everton on Sunday.

Aaron Cresswell gave the Irons the lead with a stunning free-kick in the 32nd minute, sending a relegation-threatened Toffees side into half-time trailing 1-0.

The visitors hauled themselves back into the game as Mason Holgate scored the equaliser eight minutes after the restart, sparking life back into Frank Lampard’s Everton side. However, upon his return from injury, Jarrod Bowen responded immediately, netting West Ham’s winner just five minutes later.

The away side were reduced to 10 men when Michael Keane received his second yellow card of the game after pulling Michail Antonio down. This dealt Everton a huge blow and ensured that David Moyes’ side were able to come away with the three points.

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West Ham briefly moved back up to fifth place in the Premier League table before Tottenham came from behind to dominate Newcastle 5-1 later in the day, sending the Hammers back down to sixth.

However, despite the three points, a number of West Ham’s players struggled throughout the match against Everton.

Here at The Transfer Tavern, we delve into the three worst-rated starting outfielders for the Irons as per statistical specialists SofaScore, with players required to feature for at least 45 minutes for ranking. This trio lost possession 36 times and collectively made just three tackles, failing to produce a single interception.

Craig Dawson – 6.7

Playing the full 90 minutes, Dawson failed to make a single interception at the back and won just one tackle, not the most convincing returns for a centre-back.

The 31-year-old topped this performance off by losing the ball on 10 occasions.

Tomas Soucek – 6.7

Soucek struggled to hold the fort in midfield against the Toffees. As a defensive midfielder, he made just two tackles, further highlighted by being dribbled past on one occasion. More concerningly, he failed to make a single interception, disappointing for a player in the middle of the park who is there to break up play.

However, he wasn’t much better when he did have the ball at his feet, as he lost possession 13 times.

Michail Antonio – 6.6

An issue for Moyes with Antonio being his only senior striker, the Jamaica international struggled in front of goal.

He had just one shot on target all day, with another failing to test Jordan Pickford. The 32-year-old could have finished Everton off sooner with two big chances, but they both went to waste.

Antonio lost the ball on 13 occasions and struggled to add to the team defensively, having failed to make a single tackle or interception.

In other news: David Moyes provides Ben Johnson injury update

Moussa Niakhate is reportedly now ‘attracting interest’ from Newcastle United ahead of a potential move in the summer.

The Lowdown: Solid season

Niakhate is having a solid season at Mainz, where they currently hold the joint-third best defensive record in the Bundesliga.

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The captain and leader of his side, the six-foot-three colossus has been hailed as a ‘key player’ and a ‘role model’ by sporting director Christian Heidel and head coach Bo Svensson, and so may not be easily let go, valued at £16.2m by Transfermarkt.

The Latest: Newcastle interest

As per The Daily Telegraph journalist Mike McGrath, Niakhate is now ‘attracting interest’ from the St. James’ Park faithful, as well as both West Ham United and Everton.

However, the latter will only be in the running for him if they manage to stay in the Premier League for next season.

The Verdict: Upgrade

Niakhate would seemingly be an upgrade on Eddie Howe’s current centre-back options.

He is currently averaging more tackles and interceptions per game than Fabian Schar, Dan Burn and Jamaal Lascelles in their respective domestic leagues this season, and offensively, he has scored three goals and makes more key passes than the Magpies trio (WhoScored).

Clearly then, this is an up and coming defender with the ability on the ball to fit like a glove into Eddie Howe’s system, which relies far more on progressive build-up from the back than previous manager Steve Bruce.

Of course, the top flight is different gravy, but he has already shown his worth against Liverpool superstar Mo Salah, who ‘didn’t enjoy’ playing against Niakhate in pre-season.

A senior call-up to the France national team is surely in the pipeline, and at 26 years of age, the North East club would be signing him just as he enters his prime.

In other news, find out who NUFC are now in the ‘driving seat’ to sign here!

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Liverpool fans on Twitter are absolutely delighted with Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot, with the Frenchman reportedly preferring a move to Liverpool instead of Tottenham should a Premier League switch materialise, according to Paris United.

The 23-year-old midfield star has been the subject of strong interest from Spurs and boss Mauricio Pochettino has reportedly even spoken to the player in a bid to get him to north London.

He would be teaming up with his former teammates in Lucas Moura and Serge Aurier if he were to arrive at Spurs, however Rabiot appears to be more interested in linking up with Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.

Are the media letting Jurgen Klopp off lightly for his lack of silverware? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have their say in the video below…

Naturally, fans of the Merseyside-based club loved this news, and find it a source of enjoyment for a couple of reasons. Firstly, they would be getting an exceptional young player on a free transfer, as he has just six months left on his contract with the Parisians.

Secondly, they would be beating a title rival to a marquee signing, signalling a change from the days when they’d have their best players pinched from them by fellow Premier League clubs, such as when Raheem Sterling moved to Manchester City.

Let’s see how fans of the Reds reacted on Twitter…

According to Spanish source Estadio Deportivo, West Ham United may have been handed an Isco transfer hope with GSB apparently in the mix for his signature.

The Lowdown: Big name free agent…

As things stand, the former Malaga sensation appears set to become one of the ‘big name’ free agents of 2022 with his contract expiring on June 30.

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Clubs will be competing to sign Isco ahead of the transfer window given his soon-to-be Bosman status and it is believed that West Ham are one of them.

The 29-year-old is also said to be attracting interest from the likes of FC Barcelona, ​​Milan, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, Fiorentina and alleged overwhelming favourites Sevilla.

The Latest: West Ham in mix…

Indeed, Estadio Deportivo claim that while ‘everything indicates’ he will join Sevilla, they also say ‘some surprises should never be ruled out’ – namedropping West Ham as suitors.

The playmaker, despite his heavy links to Sevilla, has also been pictured in Florence recently with La Viola one of the interested parties.

The Verdict: Fresh hope?

This report hints at some hope for West Ham if they do indeed wish to sign Isco on a free deal, but should manager David Moyes and co make his signing a priority?

Once valued at around £100m by the Galacticos, any club signing the attacker for free could just highlight his real decline in recent seasons.

His market value is now estimated by Transfermarkt at around £6.75m, a real drop off from his once-marquee price tag.

Isco’s best season at the Bernabeu, where he notched ten goals and eight assists in La Liga over 2016/2017, was a long time ago and it would arguably come as a gamble to see if he could resurrect his career in east London.

In other news: Bigger and bigger: Insider now shares very promising off-field development out of West Ham, find out more here.

West Ham insider ExWHUemployee has dropped a triple transfer claim ahead of a suspectedly busy summer window for the Irons.

The Lowdown: Lack of January business

Whilst the east London club were linked with a myriad of transfers during the winter, the Hammers failed to sign a single player in January.

As a result, fatigue and injuries have been a prominent issue for David Moyes’s men this season, especially given the lack of options throughout the squad.

Therefore, West Ham will need to be active in the summer transfer window if they are to compete for the European places in the Premier League table next season.

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The Latest: Ex’s West Ham transfer claim…

Taking to an interview for his site The West Ham Way, inside source ExWHUemployee has shared the knowledge that the Irons are keen on dipping into the ‘free’ market this summer.

During the interview, he said:

“We will definitely be looking at that [free] market, no doubt about it. A lot of players who we have been interested in before and have even bid large sums for will be available on a free, so I can see us making moves. The obvious candidates will be Jesse Lingard, who loved his time at the club, James Tarkowski is of course someone we have been linked with many times. Also Diaz of Blackburn could be one we go back in for.

“Diaz although not technically out of contract as Blackburn has a year’s extension option on him, will still represent good value for money.

“Knowing how the club likes to operate and be cautious with not overspending, then it really is a given that if players we are keen on are out of contract then we will be looking to bring them in I am sure.

“Although it’s still early days as we don’t even know if we’ll be in Europe next season yet so that will of course play a part in who would want to join us.”

The Verdict: Need to spend money

Whilst a number of free transfers could prove to be lucrative bits of business – including the likes of Jesse Lingard, James Tarkowski and Ben Brereton-Diaz, who will all be out of contract over the summer as it stands – West Ham will surely need to put their hand in their pocket if they are to truly compete for a place in the top six of the Premier League next season.

The east London club were rumoured to have made a number of big-money moves in January, so if they could pull off a couple of these in the summer, West Ham may be a force to be reckoned with next season.

In other news: Finance guru drops major West Ham claim

A new loan ruling that is set to be implemented next season could have a big impact on Wolves, according to reliable journalist Tim Spiers.

The Lowdown: New loan ruling

According to The Athletic, clubs will be limited on the number of international players they can have out on loan in the future.

From next season, teams will only be allowed to have eight players on temporary moves elsewhere and that number will drop to six by 2024.

Wolves currently have ten players out on loan, highlighting how clubs will be affected by the new venture moving forward.

The Latest: Spiers reacts to claim

Taking to Twitter on Thursday, Spiers gave his thoughts on the news, discussing how it will impact on Wanderers’ business:

“New loan rules coming in next season which will impact Wolves, who had 10 players on loan overseas in the first half of the season (max of 8 next year then max 6 from 2024) and four at Grasshoppers (max 3 at one club).”

The Verdict: Good decision

In truth, it is healthy to see this ruling introduced, with the report correctly stating that it is a good way of preventing clubs from ‘stockpiling talent’.

It is good to see that players aged 21 and under won’t be affected, however, as loan moves can be healthy for their development, such as Wolves forward Theo Corbeanu, who is currently at MK Dons.

It will make teams think more about recruitment in general and potentially ensure they get the most out the players already in their ranks, rather than stockpiling players for purely financial reasons.

In other news, some Wolves fans have reacted to an exit rumour regarding one player. Find out who it is here.

Former top flight goalkeeper Paddy Kenny believes Sadio Mane will sign a new Liverpool deal this summer after what he’s seen in recent weeks.

The Lowdown: Mane’s future up in the air

The Senegalese has returned to top form recently, scoring crucial goals against the likes of Manchester City and Manchester United, not to mention taking his tally for the season to 19 overall.

There is some concern surrounding Mane’s future at Liverpool, however, with his current deal expiring next year and a new contract not yet signed.

There appears to have been positive progress made in recent times, though, and the hope is that the situation is sorted in the near future.

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The Latest: Pundit confident of new deal

Speaking to Football Insider, Kenny, 43, dropped his verdict after seeing Mane’s red-hot recent form:

“He’s frighteningly good, isn’t he?”

“There is no way he’s leaving. Liverpool have one of the best attacks in the world and they don’t want to weaken that. He has proved how good he is over the last few weeks, not that we needed anymore proof.

“He’s one of the ones who is out of contract next summer so you would think Liverpool will want to tie him down with some of the goals he’s been scoring.

“I think that will get sorted. They want to keep Salah and Mane, those kinds of world-class players.”

The Verdict: No-brainer for Liverpool

There have been times when Mane has dropped below his absolute peak level, but his recent form is proof that he still has a huge amount to offer.

While 30 used to be seen as ‘old’ for a footballer, the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Robert Lewandowski and Karim Benzema are proof that players can go well into their 30s now at the very highest level.

For that reason, giving Mane a new deal is a no-brainer for Liverpool, with the African superstar capable of being a force for three or four more years, at least.

In other news, another Premier League side could sign a Liverpool target. Find out who it is here.

Aston Villa and Everton are two of several top flight clubs who have been linked with a move for Blackburn Rovers defender Darragh Lenihan, TEAMtalk report.

The Lowdown: Lenihan profiled

Lenihan, a two-cap international for the Republic of Ireland, has been with Rovers since 2011 and has been labelled as ‘special’ by Tony Mowbray.

The 27-year-old has made 237 appearances for his current employers and has captained the club on numerous occasions in an impressive Championship campaign.

The centre-back, who can also play as a holding midfielder, is out of contract at Ewood Park at the end of June, and Villa are one of the sides seemingly keen on a possible cut-price move.

The Latest: Villa keen

According to TEAMtalk, Villa, Everton, Leeds, Newcastle and Wolves have registered their interest in Lenihan ahead of a possible free transfer.

Lenihan is eager to play in the Premier League and looks set to delay contract talks until the end of the season. Should Rovers earn promotion, he would consider penning a new deal with the club.

The Verdict: Avoid

Villa have recently announced the signing of Calum Chambers from Arsenal, so bringing in Lenihan could be a backwards step.

Yes, he has been Blackburn’s best performer this season and can play in multiple positions, however, he has no Premier League experience, and at the age of 27, you’d expect he could be in his prime now.

Therefore, it may not be a shrewd buy when building for the future and could also stop academy signings Josh Feeney and Kerr Smith from progressing into the first team.

Villa have high hopes for the future and have spent big on some high-profile names in recent years, so Lenihan may not be a smart signing when thinking long-term.

In other news: ‘Bottled it’ – Many Villa fans react to Fabrizio Romano transfer update. 

Everton have confirmed that they have sacked their manager Rafa Benitez this afternoon after just six months in charge.

The Spaniard conceded his tenth defeat in the Premier League yesterday when the side lost to bottom of the league, Norwich City, and already names are being thrown into the hat for the next manager to take on the challenge at Goodison Park.

What’s the word?

Sky Sports journalist, Ben Ransom, has named three managers that are speculated to take over at the club live from the Everton training ground this afternoon, with Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard and Roberto Martinez all being named as potential suitors.

Ransom spoke live on Sky Sports News on Sunday to speculate on the favourite successors;

“Obviously, Wayne Rooney has been linked straight away, given the relative success he’s managing to have at Derby.”

“Frank Lampard, out of work, his name is always mentioned when a Premier League job comes around.”

“I know that, here at Everton, there are still a lot of admirers for Roberto Martinez, he was in the frame when Benitez was given this job in the summer.”

Everton released a statement this afternoon confirming that a permanent replacement will be made in due course.

Fans will be buzzing

It’s safe to say fans will be buzzing that Benitez has been sacked with immediate effect, with protests planned, banners flown and even attempts to get to the manager in the dugout all being displayed by the Toffees fans over the course of this season.

Rooney is a clear fan favourite for the job, with many fans taking to social media to share their thoughts on appointing the Derby manager, one fan commented:

“This was always going to end in tears, I think the next @Everton manager should be the man who’s worked wonders @dcfcofficial in difficult circumstances and is a bonafide Toffees legend, the one and only @WayneRooney.”

Whoever takes over has a challenge on their hands to change the direction Everton have been heading in this season so far, with the club only picking up only five points from a possible 30 in their last 10 games under the Spaniard.

As a result, they are currently six points shy of the relegation zone, with a huge U-turn needed immediately for the club to have their season saved, so there will be big pressure to make an instant impact for the new manager.

Rooney lacks experience but he has already shown at Derby that he’s capable of reviving a club in troubled waters. With the Rams, he is providing them with a hope of Championship survival despite a haul of 21 points being deducted.

They are now off the bottom, however, on a five-match unbeaten streak. He has worked wonders and it would take something similar to wake the Toffees from their slumber. Perhaps he is the man to do so, therefore.

In other news: Doucoure wanted by Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid

Newcastle United journalists have been left buzzing after some injury news emerged in the build-up to the clash with Leicester City involving Kieran Trippier.

The Lowdown: Ahead of schedule

Speaking in his pre-game press conference ahead of their match at home to Leicester in the Premier League, Eddie Howe has revealed that Trippier is now ‘very slightly’ ahead of schedule in terms of recovering from his injury, and he is ‘beginning’ to run back outside on the grass.

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The former Burnley and AFC Bournemouth manager warned that he still needs to ‘build up his fitness’, but says that he is in a ‘good place’, albeit not available for the visit of Brendan Rodgers’ Foxes on Sunday.

The Latest: Journalists buzzing

Taking to Twitter, The Shields Gazette journalist Dominic Scurr claimed that it is a ‘big positive’ that Trippier is now back out on the grass.

Newcastle World journalist Jordan Cronin also gave his reaction, claiming that it is ‘excellent news’ that he is ahead of schedule.

The Verdict: Big boost

The fact that Trippier could be back sooner than expected is a big boost for Howe and the St. James’ Park faithful.

The right-back currently ranks as their best performer in the top flight so far this season, and also tops his teammates in terms of average tackles, interceptions and crosses per game (WhoScored).

The North East club will not feel that they are completely safe yet, and so having Trippier back for the majority of the run-in would certainly help in putting the points needed on the board.

In other news, find out what worrying Allan Saint-Maximin update has now been dropped here!