I Love Football

Despite the exit of Daniel Agger from the Premier League in 2014, he is still missed at Anfield. Admitedly Liverpool's defence has improved markedly since Jurgen Klopp spent a massive sum of £75 million on Virgil van Dijk during the transfer window in January but behind him the resources are thin, and they could definitley do with someone as reliable as Agger was as a backup.

A great competitor and fan favourite, Daniel Agger was often the first one to be named on the team-sheet for a procession of managers working at Anfield, and it is testament to his abilities that he played for them from 2006 all the way through to 2014. The one area you would want to improve in his game was his fitness - which also utlimatley proved to be his downfall.

Manchester City attacker Riyad Mahrez has said that he won’t be affected despite missing a key penalty during the Premier League clash against Liverpool on Sunday. The clash was hyped as the one of the most important games of the campaign but ultimately, there was an anti-climax with the teams settling for a goalless stalemate after Mahrez booted his 87th-minute penalty kick over the bar.

Speaking after the 0-0 draw, Mahrez suggested that the missed spot-kick won’t hamper him in the forthcoming games for the Citizens, who put a strong performance at Anfield, he said: "It's football, it's life.It won't affect me at all. Everyone misses penalties, even big, big players. Of course I wanted to score to help the team to win.It is part of football, you have to go forward and stay strong. Sometimes you score, sometimes you miss. But the most important thing is the performance was very good."

Former Manchester United and Everton defender Phil Neville believes Unai Emery should go with the combination of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette when Arsenal face Newcastle United on the road this weekend. Emery had been hesitant to play both strikers from the starting lineup during the first three games of the season before the duo combined together for the away triumph at Cardiff City.

During that game, Lacazette marked his maiden start of the campaign with a goal and an assist and Neville has advised Emery to stick with the Frenchman upfront against the Magpies, he said: “They score more goals, they have better movement. Defenders don't like playing against him [Lacazette] because of his little sharp, darting movements. Arsenal are a better side with him. They look better going forward.It's just a question of how long Aubameyang can sacrifice himself or be happy on the left-hand side.”

Former Liverpool defender Phil Babb claims that Chelsea’s Ethan Ampadu is one most exciting talents to come out of the club’s youth academy in recent years.Ampadu is a Welsh international who has been displaying his wide array of talents in recent matches under Ryan Giggs. However, he has not been able to get much of a look in the Chelsea first-team, which is currently under the management of Maurizio Sarri. The Italian has transformed several aspects about Chelsea, but he continues to remain just like every other Chelsea manager of the past – preference for experienced players over youth.

Ampadu was at his devastating best in the recent 4-1 victory for Wales over Republic of Ireland. Even though he is a centre back by trade, he is also equally adept when it comes to playing in the centre of the park. Ryan Giggs decided to hand him with the first international appearance and he played in the midfield for this match. Despite being a youngster,Ampadu dominated the play like a seasoned professional. His impact on the game was evident in the way he provided an assist for Aaron Ramsey buy outmuscling experienced campaigners like Jonathan Walters. Aged only 17,Ampadu still has a long way to go before he has learnt all the tricks in the game, but Babb has urged Sarri to consider the youngster in forthcoming matches.

Chelsea legend and assistant manager Gianfranco Zola has urged the hierarchy to give sufficient time to Maurizio Sarri after he was appointed as the Blues’ new head coach. The 59-year-old was recruited by the Blues earlier this month after an extended transfer saga and Zola believes that he board should offer the tactician with some leverage to make an impression.

He said: “As long as the people at the club support the club, have a little bit of patience with him, I'm sure they will get what they are expecting. I like the way his teams play football. They are very organised, very good defensively but also play very good football.I've always liked coaches that promote this type of football.I believe this is the type of philosophy this club is looking for at the moment. I think it can be a very good marriage. Maurizio can give the club exactly what it is looking for.”

Ajax head coach Erik ten Hag has confirmed that the club are indeed interested in securing the signature of Southampton midfielder Dusan Tadic. The Serbia international has been an influential player for the Saints over the years but he is now understood to be eyeing a return to the Eredivisie where he enjoyed fruitful spells with FC Twente and Groningen.

Speaking to De Telegraaf, Ten Hag admitted that Tadic is one among the prime targets for Ajax but they are unlikely to make any announcement regarding the players until they reach a financial agreement with the Saints, he said: “It is no secret that we are interested (in signing Tadic). But I also learned that we must have signatures first before it is final. He clearly showed (against Switzerland) why he is a more than a suitable player for us. He can take Ajax by the hand. Ajax reports via the official channels when everything is complete. But as long as the signature is not set, it will not happen.”

Arsenal legend-turned-pundit Ian Wright is reportedly pleased with the Gunners’ decision to appoint Unai Emery as the new head coach. The north London club were initially leaning towards signing former Gunner Mikel Arteta as the next Gunners boss but made a late decision to bring Emery on-board.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Wright was excited by the prospect of Emery who he believes is a better option than Arteta, who has no managerial experience, he said: “I'm very pleased with that. Obviously it came as a bit of a shock. I feel everybody was getting ready to digest Arteta, even though he is inexperienced when it comes to the level we are going to need. But Emery - very happy with that. I think it's a massive, massive decision they had to make. As much as I've given them stick, I still have to commend them on hopefully getting the right guy because it's a job I wouldn't want to do. Replacing Arsene Wenger after 22 years is a massive job in itself.”

French outfit Lyon have confirmed that they have ended negotiations with Liverpool regarding the proposed transfer of Nabil Fekir. The France international was widely expected to join the Reds following a medical and a leaked introductory video but in a surprise change of events, the move has now been cancelled.

“Olympique Lyonnais informs that the tripartite negotiations with the Liverpool club and Nabil Fekir for the transfer of the captain of OL have not succeeded and that Olympique Lyonnais has decided to put an end to this negotiation tonight at 20:00. Although the club Liverpool has been the priority of a possible transfer of Nabil, and subject to other proposals consistent with the interest of Nabil and OL and from ambitious clubs, Olympique Lyonnais is delighted soon to be able to count on the presence of his captain who is a leading rookie for this season 2018/2019 during which the club will play the Champions League being in the 3rd hat of the draw,” the statement read.

If recent World Cups are any indicator, then backing the established stars of global football to be tournament top scorer just don't pay.

While you can, of course, bet each-way in the market with most bookmakers offering a quarter of the outright odds for four places, it is worth considering some fresher faces to step up instead of the usual suspects. Which new names on the global stage could be World Cup top scorer?

Gabriel Jesus (Brazil)

While Manchester City fans will know Gabriel Jesus and what he can do in front of goal well, the 2018 World Cup in Russia is the first major senior tournament he's played at. He did win a gold medal at the Summer Olympics on home soil in Brazil two years ago as part of their under-23 team.

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has admitted that the Red Devils need to achieve more success under his management in order to be completely beyond the Sir Alex Ferguson days. After being able to win the Europa League and the EFL Cup in his first campaign at United, Mourinho is on course to lifting more honours in his second campaign is the club have made it to the final of the FA Cup.

Mourinho’s team will be taking on Chelsea in this final, but the key objective of the team remains the Premier league. However, United have been quite disappointing on this front and they are set to finish in second place for the 2017-18 campaign.