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With Slavisa Jokanovic’s Sheffield United side heading into Tuesday night’s Championship clash on a decent run of form, with the Blades picking up 11 points over their last five league fixtures, the 53-year-old manager would have undoubtedly been hoping his team could continue their climb up the second tier standings against Middlesbrough.

However, two first-half goals by Duncan Watmore and Paddy McNair were enough for Boro to seal all three points at the Riverside Stadium, with the 2-0 loss rather considerably taking the wind out of Sheffield United’s sails.

And, as is to be expected after such a result, a number of the United players turned in disappointing performances in the fixture, with Oliver Norwood, John Fleck and Robin Olsen all receiving SofaScore match ratings of 6.5 or under, however, it will undoubtedly be Enda Stevens most frustrated with his display on Tuesday.

Lost 71% duels

Over his 69 minutes on the pitch, the Blades left-back did very little to convince Jokanovic that he should keep his place in the starting XI ahead of Rhys Norrington-Davies for the club’s trip to Bournemouth this Saturday.

Indeed, the £3.15m-rated 31-year-old failed with his two attempted dribbles, his three attempted long balls and his two attempted crosses, as well as ceding possession of the ball on 15 separate occasions for his side.

The man the BladesPod podcast once dubbed a “poor” player also lost five of his seven duels – a failure rate of 71% – gave away two fouls, picked up a yellow card and was dribbled past by an opponent once.

These metrics saw the £32k-per-week Republic of Ireland international receive an extremely disappointing SofaScore match rating of just 6.0, with no player from either side earning a lower rating than the defender.

As such, it would indeed appear unlikely that Stevens will retain his place in Jokanovic’s starting XI for the trip to the Vitality Stadium this weekend, especially as Norrington-Davies looked much more impressive after replacing the 31-year-old in the second half of the loss at Middlesbrough.

In other news: Sheffield United handed big injury boost, Jokanovic surely buzzing

Queens Park Rangers have been handed a potential injury boost ahead of the Rs’ upcoming Championship fixture.

What’s the latest?

According to a report by West London Sport, QPR midfielder Luke Amos is nearing a return to first-team football after spending nearly a year on the sidelines as a result of an anterior cruciate ligament injury, which the defensive midfielder picked up against AFC Bournemouth last October.

The 24-year-old, who had also spent a year on the treatment table with an ACL injury prior to his move from Tottenham Hotspur to QPR in 2020, started two fixtures in the space of a week for the club’s U23 side towards the end of August, and could be in contention for the visit of Reading this Saturday.

Warburton will be buzzing

While Mark Warburton bolstered his options in central midfield with a number of summer signings, including the likes of Stefan Johansen, Sam Field and Andre Dozzell, the return of Amos will undoubtedly have left the 59-year-old manager buzzing.

Indeed, the £900k-rated man played a key role in QPR’s 2019/20 Championship campaign, featuring in 34 league fixtures for the club, over which the former England U19 international scored two goals, as well as making an average of one interception, 1.5 tackles, 0.8 clearances and winning 3.8 duels per game.

The £5k-per-week midfielder also started the 2020/21 season brightly, averaging a SofaScore match rating of 6.76 over his five Championship appearances prior to his injury.

As such, while it is true that Amos may have a bit of work to do to re-establish himself in Warburton’s starting XI, his return from injury is undeniably good news for the Rs boss, who will be delighted that a player as talented as the 24-year-old looks set to be available for selection once again – adding further depth to a position in which QPR now boast a number of impressive options.

In other news: Alan Nixon drops QPR claim on “outstanding” £4k-p/w beast which will have fans buzzing

For many of the opening few weeks of the season, there had been cries and lust for Ben Godfrey to return to the Everton squad.

The defender, who made England’s preliminary squad for the European Championships, had been missing in the opening weeks but has now returned.

He helped Everton defeat Burnley 3-1 a week ago but his performance against Aston Villa left plenty to be desired.

On the chalkboard

Godfrey was charged with playing at right-back on Saturday evening with Seamus Coleman ruled out for the next 2-3 weeks with a hamstring problem.

However, during the 90 minutes, the former Norwich man proved why he should really be playing in the middle of the backline.

He was caught out numerous times down Everton’s right-hand side, particularly by Leon Bailey during his late match-winning cameo for Dean Smith’s side.

As the Jamaican galloped down the Villa left to open his account for the club, the Toffees full-back was nowhere to be seen.

He’d been dragged across towards the left-hand side of the pitch and left acres of spaces for Bailey to pounce on the ball and then score.

The solution

If Rafa Benitez wants to rest Godfrey or take him out of the firing line for a match then the boss should consider unleashing one of Everton’s eye-catching teenagers.

One of them happens to be Jarrad Branthwaite. The 19-year-old played in Everton’s win over Huddersfield a few weeks ago and caught the eye.

As the Toffees reached the third round of the EFL Cup, the central defender completed a whopping 98% of his passes.

With Everton’s defence struggling this term, keeping just one clean sheet, Benitez should turn to the youngster against QPR on Tuesday evening.

The Carabao Cup is the perfect platform to unleash young players and offer them valuable experience.

Branthwaite has so far appeared six times for the Merseyside outfit but it’s in the cup competitions where he’ll arguably feel more comfortable.

Playing against Championship opposition should also be highly beneficial. He spent a period of last term on loan at Blackburn where he actually lost to Everton’s midweek opposition 1-0.

During his time there, Tony Mowbray was keen to praise the youngster after a 1-1 draw with Stoke: “[He’s] a seven or eight out of ten every week. Win your headers, play forward passes and just do your job as it says on the tin and I thought he done that very well today,” he said.

That builds on comments from his boss at Carlisle, Steven Pressley. He once tipped the defender for international stardom: “The truth is, I think he has got everything. He can pass the ball almost equally as good with both feet. He’s a terrific footballer.”

“If he continues to develop, then, without doubt, he can be an England player.”

With a number of options at centre-back for Benitez to choose from, it’s in matches like the one on Tuesday where Branthwaite really needs to stake his claim.

AND in other news, Everton rocked by big blow after weekend development, Benitez will be seething…

Talks between Everton and Belgian outfit Royal Antwerp over a deal for right-back Aurelio Buta are now at an ‘advanced’ stage, according to journalist Rudy Galetti. 

The lowdown

The 24-year-old has played every minute of Antwerp’s four Jupiler Pro League games so far this season. It has been a tricky start for the side who finished third last season; they’ve picked up only one win and incurred two defeats.

However, Buta has been one of their shining lights so far, his average WhoScored rating of 7.11 the fifth-highest in the squad. He has contributed two assists as well as averaging 4.5 tackles and 2.3 clearances per 90 minutes.

Journalist Aster Nzeyimana has hailed the Portuguese defender as ‘one of the best full-backs’ in the division, adding that the 24-year-old is ‘very gifted’ technically and has been ‘instrumental’ to Antwerp’s successes in recent years.

The latest

Galetti tweeted that negotiations have progressed to the bidding stage, with a €4m (£3.4m) Everton offer presently ‘under discussion’.

He added that it is an ‘evolving situation’, so further developments should be expected soon.

The verdict

It was reported by The Athletic in July that Everton were hopeful of signing another right-back this summer as a long-term successor to club captain Seamus Coleman.

Clearly, the search has dragged on. For instance, Denzel Dumfries was one name under consideration, but he has now sealed a transfer to Italian champions Inter.

Buta may not be enormously high-profile but £3.4m looks like a bargain for an all-action full-back whose figures suggest he can chip in going forward while also defending diligently. They might even have unearthed a gem if they get this one over the line at such a low cost.

In other news, this Everton player came under fire against Southampton. 

After suffering a disappointing opening day defeat to Watford, Aston Villa return to Premier League action when they take on Newcastle on Saturday afternoon.

Dean Smith’s side will be hoping for a far better outcome when they taken on the Magpies at Villa Park, and the manager will have some big calls to make as to whether he looks to alter his starting line-up.

One man whose place is under serious threat after a truly lacklustre performance last weekend is Anwar El Ghazi.

Reports in recent days and weeks have suggested that Serie A giants AS Roma have made an approach to sign the winger, with Smith now willing to let him go as he looks to try and revamp his attack.

The Dutchman was shocking in the opening day clash against Watford, having no shots on goal, attempting no dribbles, providing no key passes and losing a whopping nine of his ten duels – such was his disasterclass that Smith hauled him off on the hour mark for Leon Bailey.

Writing in his post-match player ratings for The Birmingham Mail, Ashley Preece gave El Ghazi a four, saying: “Fell flat on his face moments in as Watford had their tails up. Smith was on at the Dutchman as he failed to track back on occasion. Again, El Ghazi showed nothing and struggled amidst the Watford press. Was taken off on the hour. Poor.”

A lack of consistency is something which has affected El Ghazi badly in his time at Villa Park – he scored the bulk of his 10 Premier League goals last season in just two purple patches over the course of the campaign – and it’s something about which Smith will no doubt be wary.

Speaking back in September 2020, Villa journalist Dan Bardell said: “There’s something wrong with him. I think his head has just dropped completely. I think (his) confidence is absolutely on the floor – that never helps – but if people like (Henri) Lansbury and El Ghazi, they’re not taking games like this by the scruff of the neck, then they’re not going to be playing in the Premier League either.”

The £40k-a-week ace now has incredibly stiff competition for a place out wide, and given the nature of his performance against the Hornets, Smith must surely axe him from the starting line-up for today’s game against Newcastle at Villa Park.

His time on the pitch, and indeed at the club, may well be up.

Meanwhile, Villa must finally land this star…

Manchester United have received a potentially significant boost in their pursuit of Barcelona midfielder Ilaix Moriba.

What’s the story?

The Red Devils have been linked with a move for the highly-rated 18-year-old in recent weeks as Barca have so far been unable to extend his contract, which currently expires next summer.

Well-known journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano recently provided an update on Moriba’s situation, tweeting some intriguing quotes from the Blaugrana’s president Joan Laporta.

He tweeted: “Barça president Joan Laporta again on Ilaix Moriba: “We cannot allow him to be promoted [to the first-team] and then leave. We won’t accept that with any player. If he wants to go and it’s because he has other options, he can leave the club”.

Manchester United fans will be buzzing

Moriba established himself as one of the most exciting young prospects in La Liga last season, scoring one goal and providing three assists in 18 senior appearances for his boyhood club.

However, with only 12 months remaining on his existing deal and no resolution in sight, an imminent Camp Nou exit could be on the cards for the teenager, who has rejected the club’s offer of a new contract.

The Spain under-18 international is likely to have plenty of potential suitors given his impressive array of skills, but news of Moriba’s availability will surely have the United supporters buzzing.

With Paul Pogba’s future far from secure, Red Devils manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is thought to be in the market for a new central midfielder over the coming months.

Big names such as Leon Goretzka, Saul Niguez and Eduardo Camavinga have reportedly caught the eye of the 20-time English champions, yet Moriba’s arrival would bring just as much intrigue as the aforementioned stars.

The 6 ft maestro would add significant strength in depth to United’s engine room, an area of weakness for them for so long, providing Solskjaer with the necessary tools to bring major trophies back to the red half of Manchester.

Whether the club’s hierarchy follow up their interest in Moriba with a concrete offer remains to be seen, but fans must be delighted to hear that he seems far from committed to the Barcelona cause.

In other news…Ole must move £7.2m-rated Man Utd ace this summer, he’s not been good enough so far 

Former Rangers defender Graham Roberts has ramped up the pressure on Steven Gerrard by describing tonight’s Champions League game as the biggest of his managerial career.

Gerrard’s side are trailing 2-1 in their third qualifying round tie following their defeat against Malmo in the first leg in Sweden last Tuesday.

However, Steven Davis’ last-gasp stunner has put the Scottish champions in with every chance of moving one step away from qualifying for the group stages of Europe’s elite competition for the first time since 2010.

But there’s extra pressure on Rangers at what will be a red hot Ibrox with fans returning, not only with a large financial boost on the line, but because the Gers lost their 41-game unbeaten Scottish Premiership run at Dundee United on Saturday.

That defeat at Tannadice Park equalled the number of competitive fixtures Rangers lost throughout the whole of last season in 90 minutes, meaning a victory is much-needed.

Asked whether tonight’s clash with the Swedish giants is the biggest since the appointment of Gerrard three years ago, Roberts exclusively told Football FanCast:

“I would say so, tonight there’s big pressure. The club will be banking on £30m guaranteed for the Champions League.

“If they get knocked out tonight, they go into the Europa League, which is not the same.

“They’ll be banking on that. It will be tough, but with the Rangers support back tonight and 50,000 screaming, it’s a tough old place for away teams to go, and the bears will suck that ball into the net.”

Tottenham Hotspur have made a bid in an attempt to bring Pierluigi Gollini to north London this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Italian media outlet Calciomercato, who claimed that, along with Wolvers and Everton, Spurs have made an offer to Atalanta regarding the the goalkeeper.

The report added that the Serie A club expect to reap in the region of €20m (£17m) from the sale of the 26-year-old, with the shot-stopper himself believed to be keen on a move in order to attempt to establish himself as Italy’s number one for the 2022 World Cup.

Nuno would love him

With Hugo Lloris turning 35 in December, as well as being linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain earlier this year – although this now appears an unlikely transfer following Gianluigi Donnarumma’s move to the French capital – the argument could easily be made that Nuno Espirito Santo should be planning for life after the French veteran in north London.

Considering how impressive Gollini has been for Atalanta in recent seasons, as well as being almost nine years Lloris’ junior, a move for the Italian would very much appear to be a transfer that Nuno would love to get over the line this summer.

Indeed, in the season before last, the £15.3m-rated man was in exceptional form over his 33 Serie A appearances for Gian Piero Gasperini’s side, keeping eight clean sheets and averaging 2.5 saves and 0.5 successful runs out per game.

These returns saw the Italy international earn an average SofaScore match rating of 6.82, playing a key role in helping Atalanta secure an impressive third-placed finish in the league.

The £25,000-per-week goalkeeper was also in decent form over his 25 league appearances last season, keeping nine clean sheets and averaging 1.6 saves and 0.4 successful runs out per fixture. However, a cruciate ligament injury kept him sidelined for a number of games at the start of the campaign.

In any case, the man Steve Clarke once dubbed a “big prospect” would appear to be a fantastic addition for Spurs this summer. The 26-year-old would not only be an excellent backup to Lloris, he also seems to possess the ability to strongly push the Frenchman for his starting spot between the sticks for Tottenham next season if he swaps Bergamo for north London.

In other news: Spurs dealt transfer blow over “important” £73k-p/w target, Paratici will be livid

Some Everton fans have been reacting to a transfer update involving Rodrygo.

As per a report from earlier in the week from Spain, which has since been shared by Toffee TV on their Twitter page, the Goodison Park faithful are one of three teams that are interested in signing the Real Madrid ace in the summer window, along with both Napoli and Sevilla.

The 20-year-old is a very exciting prospect, having already played in 59 games in total for Los Blancos over the last two consecutive seasons, scoring nine goals and making a further 11 assists (Transfermarkt).

He has also been capped at senior level for Brazil despite his age, playing alongside the likes of Neymar, Roberto Firmino and Gabriel Jesus.

Of course, signing Rodrygo would be quite the coup for the Merseyside club, but currently valued at £31.5m by Transfermarkt, there may be some doubts over whether they can actually afford him.

Everton fans on Rodrygo transfer update

These Toffees supporters gave some fairly mixed reactions as the transfer update was shared on Twitter:

“Now we’re talking”

Credit: @bluetom_tom

“Ancelotti deserves to move back some things for us, such as signing this young man’s contract.”

Credit: @toffees_tiger

“He will be part of Richarlison deal”

Credit: @Miksharples

“Lol, aren’t we skint?”

Credit: @1878_Shirts

“We can’t afford him & they won’t want to sell one of their best young players”

Credit: @Jay_No_Z

“Better not be a swap for Richarlison”

Credit: @TomWalshy77

In other news, find out what transfer update has been slammed by Blues here!

An update has emerged on Barcelona centre-back Clement Lenglet, regarding Everton’s interest in his services.

What’s the talk?

According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Everton boss Rafa Benitez has told the club to pursue a deal for Barcelona centre-back Clement Lenglet as he attempts to bolster his defensive unit ahead of next season following his move to Merseyside.

The report claims that the Spaniard has been unimpressed by Yerry Mina, for club and country, and wants to replace him before the end of the transfer window. Lenglet is his ideal replacement for the Colombian international and Barcelona are said to value him at €20m (£17m).

Bye-bye Mina

It appears as though it is time to say bye-bye to Mina with Benitez not rating the centre-back.

The giant has not shown enough to convince the ex-Newcastle coach that he has what it takes to play for his side, which means that the club should now be looking to move him on in the coming weeks, unless Benitez is happy for him to be a back-up option in case of injury or suspension.

With Lenglet, Everton could be landing the dream replacement for him. The France international did not enjoy the best of seasons in a disrupted Barcelona side in the 2020/21 campaign, but has previously shown his quality at the very top level.

He averaged a steady WhoScored rating of 6.90 in 28 La Liga starts during the 2019/20 season, whilst he recorded a phenomenal score of 7.38 in a World Cup qualifier for his country earlier this year.

France national team manager Didier Deschamps once hailed Lenglet as an “effective” defender who has technical quality on the ball.

He began: “He had a great season with Barca.

“He has a lot of serenity, assurance and technical ease. He’s calm on the ball. Without being very big, he is also effective in duels and knows how to anticipate. He’s still improving but he gives off a lot of confidence.”

This shows that the 26-year-old beast has the ability to play at the top level for Barcelona and France, but has fallen off slightly in the past 12 months or so. Everton could reignite his career and land themselves a bargain by bringing him in for £17m to bolster their squad, potentially to play alongside Michael Keane and Ben Godfrey as part of a back three.

Deschamps also pointed out Lenglet’s quality in possession of the ball. He has achieved a pass completion rate of 92% in each of the last two seasons for Barcelona, showing that he has the technique and poise to play out from the back effectively.

This means that he could help Benitez defensively and offensively, as his ball-playing skills could start attacks and aid Everton’s transition play in the Premier League.

AND in other news, “Take us to that next level” – Exclusive: Ball hails Everton target, says “he’s got everything”…