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Derby clashes are some of the most important matches for clubs over the course of the season.

One of the Premier League’s fiercest rivalries is between Liverpool and Everton, but the Reds have dominated their Merseyside neighbours in recent years.

Ahead of Sunday’s contest at Anfield, Everton tried to edge the mental challenge by turning the city’s iconic liver bird building blue.

The liver bird, which represents the city, is associated with the red half of Merseyside as the club carry it on their crest.

On Thursday, as part of Everton’s ‘Blue Crimbo’ celebrations, the club turned the building and the bird statue blue, which many fans took as a dig at Liverpool.

Majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri recently purchased office space in the building.

The Toffees are underdogs heading into the clash at Anfield, but they are unbeaten in their last three Premier League matches and currently sit sixth in the table.

Playmaker FC’s Matchday with Max caught up with Jamaica’s women’s team. See what happened when he met the history makers in the video below…

It was rumoured at the beginning of the season that Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce was interested in giving former Tottenham and Liverpool defender Steven Caulker a trial at the club. 

Unfortunately for Caulker, nothing came about from these rumours. But it is never too late for The Villans to reprise their interest in the free agent.

Bruce made some bizarre decisions at the beginning of the season regarding his centre-backs, and he ultimately paid the price. Firstly, he loaned Tommy Elphick to Hull, which left the club dangerously barren at the back, which resulted in him playing midfielder Mile Jedinak and right-back Alan Hutton as centre-backs. It is hard to speculate what may have happened to this Caulker trial, but it surely something that Bruce would have wanted to do.

Since leaving Scottish Premiership outfit Dundee, Caulker has been a free-agent, but he has a very respectable pedigree. An England international, he was seen as an up and coming star for Tottenham before leaving five years ago. But the 26-year-old has still played at the highest level, and has accrued a lot of experience. That could prove vital at Villa, as one of the couple of recognised centre-backs at the club, Axel Tuanzebe, is only 21. Alongside James Chester, Caulker can provide some experience at the back for The Villans.

Moreover, there is no one better in England for Caulker to work under than Chelsea legend John Terry. The former England captain could be the one that helps Caulker regain the form that made him one of the most promising players in England a few years ago.

It’s fair to say that West Ham have well and truly turned around their fortunes in recent games, as they hope to keep climbing up the table.

Their recent performances have suggested Manuel Pellegrini’s attacking style of football is starting to completely come to fruition, which is a joy to see for fans.

However, the January transfer window is fast approaching and West Ham will want to sign some more players if possible, to replace the growing list of injured players.

With that in mind, Porto’s Oliver Torres looks to be a brilliant option for West Ham.

Torres, who is valued at £10.8 million on Transfermarkt, is a box-to-box midfielder that could be an exciting addition at the London Stadium.

Having joined the Portuguese giants permanently from Atletico Madrid last year, Torres has gone from strength to strength, showing off his true capabilities.

In 14 appearances this season, he has already managed four assists, just one away from the five he accumulated last season.

His quality allows him to get forward and support his team’s attackers, whilst he is also adequate when performing his defensive duties.

Alongside the likes of Declan Rice and Mark Noble, West Ham could have the perfect balance between sternness, creativity and passion.

The Hammers are a few quality additions away from reaching the top ten in the Premier League, a goal they strive to achieve come the end of the season.

Oliver Torres could make all the difference and hence why West Ham must move to sign him.

Do you agree… Let us know!

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According to ESPN, Arsenal are considering a January swoop for Chelsea’s Gary Cahill in a bid to solve their defensive injury crisis, but the rumoured interest is bad news for Laurent Koscielny.

What’s the word?

Well, ESPN understands that the veteran centre-back is regarded as a short-term solution for the void left by Rob Holding’s long-term knee injury, and that a loan move would be likely as Cahill has been told he can leave when the transfer window opens.

The 32-year-old has made almost 300 career appearances for the Stamford Bridge outfit but his current deal expires in the summer and he is surely annoyed by his lack of game-time – the former England defender has been afforded just 21 minutes of Premier League football this term.

The club captain surely has a limited amount of time until he can no longer compete at the top level so the winter window may be his best chance to secure a move elsewhere, otherwise he risks being a benchwarmer at Chelsea until his contract runs down.

However, these reports should concern the Gunners’ own club captain, Laurent Koscielny – the Frenchman is nearing a return to match fitness after getting minutes under his belt for the development side, but a move for Cahill surely suggests that Emery doesn’t see him as part of his plans.

Left out Laurent

The number 6, like Cahill, has been a loyal servant to his club since his arrival from Lorient in 2010 and was rewarded in the summer as new boss Emery handed him the armband on a permanent basis – however an Achilles tendon rupture suffered in May saw that he has spent six months on the treatment table.

Since Emery’s takeover, the Gunners have undergone a transformation that has seen them regain some of the verve they were renowned for in Arsene Wenger’s glory days but Holding’s injury will come as a huge blow to the north London outfit – the 23-year-old has been one of their most consistent performers thus far.

One would assume that Koscielny can step up, having cemented his status as one of the best in the Prem over the years, but now, at the age of 33, it seems Emery believes the 51-cap international may be past his best and hence a move for Cahill may be in the pipeline.

The former Bolton man is of the same mould to ‘Lolo’, as he has been affectionately dubbed by the Emirates faithful – both are great leaders and entering the twilight of their careers so a swoop for the former seems terminal for the latter.

According to a recent report from Sky Sports, French giants Paris Saint-Germain are keen on a move for Everton midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye, but the Toffees cannot afford to lose him if they have ambitions to break into the top six.

What’s the story?

Sky Sports report that their sources in France have claimed the French champions have made their interest known to Everton, but also that they are yet to make a formal bid as the January transfer window fast approaches.

PSG are once again storming Ligue 1, but it is the Champions League that they will have their sights set on winning in the next few years to ensure that they can be truly considered among Europe’s current elite.

A combative defensive midfielder, Gueye would certainly add some much needed steel to their array of talent and would ensure that Thomas Tuchel no longer has to experiment with defender Marquinhos in the holding role.

However, Sky Sports also report that Everton have no desire to sell the 29-year-old, and Marco Silva must stick to this stance.

Upmost importance

Gueye is an extremely effective midfielder and he was clearly missed in the Everton side as they lost 3-1 to Manchester City at the Etihad without him in the side.

Since his £7m move from Aston Villa in the summer of 2016, the Senegalese international has grown into one of the most important players at Goodison Park despite the rapid change of managers.

Under Marco Silva, Everton play a fast and attractive style of football, but they still rely on Gueye to break up play and win the ball back frequently. If the club have desires to break into the top six (and their spending hints that they do) then it is of the upmost importance that they keep hold of Gueye in the January transfer window.

Roberto Firmino has thrown a party themed around the colour of his teeth! Watch the video below to find out what we’re talking about…

Manchester City managed to keep their quadruple dream alive earlier this week with a penalty shootout victory over Leicester City. 

Pep Guardiola may have been reluctant to admit it but he will have been hurting after City’s dream of matching Arsenal’s invincibles achievement was shattered at Stamford Bridge.

The Spaniard is a known perfectionist who has already achieved unprecedented success in his career, so the prospect of going down in the history books with an unbeaten season would certainly have been one he was entertaining and hoping to achieve in 2019.

But managers and players are ultimately remembered for the trophies they win and Guardiola will be more concerned with City’s Champions League bid rather than a more superficial unbeaten Premier League campaign.

Regardless of the boos which greet the spine-tingling anthem at the Etihad, and the apparent lack of enthusiasm for the competition among particular sections of City’s fanbase, there is no question that conquering Europe is the end goal of the Sheikh Mansour era.

Lifting the Champions League won’t exactly leave Mansour scratching his head pondering over where to go next, but his investment will not quite feel worthwhile until City have jumped over the biggest hurdle of all.

While ultimately the best team wins over a 38-fixture season in the Premier League, there is always a certain element of luck required to win a cup competition.

City will need lady luck on their side to succeed in Europe, and The Guardian journalist Jamie Jackson has suggested that luck might arrive in the shape of a fully fit David Silva.

Writing in The Guardian’s list of the 100 best male footballers of 2018, Jackson delivered a gushing verdict on Silva, who ranked in 20th place for his efforts this year.

‘Adding a greater goal threat at 32 years old has made Silva an even finer player: the complete midfield schemer, a footballer unique to City and the English game in his ability to drift, phantom-like, around the pitch finding passes and space his peers cannot. His partnership with Kevin De Bruyne in midfield was the driving force of the title triumph and if City are to finally claim the Champions League this season Silva surely has to remain fit.’

First of all it’s important to point out that Silva thoroughly deserves his place on the esteemed list after the year he has endured, with the premature birth of his child making it an incredibly tough year for the Spaniard on a personal level.

Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero both sit above him in the list in 8th and 15th place respectively but, as Jackson has alluded to, Silva’s presence could be the defining factor in City’s endeavour to lift Europe’s most prestigious prize.

At 32-years-old Silva is ageing like a fine wine. He is more experienced that most in City’s squad and one of few remaining survivors from the early transition years of Sheikh Mansour’s ownership, and those factors could count for everything as the club progress into the latter stages of the competition.

Manchester City fans – thoughts? Let us know below!

Timing is everything in football. Getting in the right manager at the right time or making a timely substitution in the closing stages can be the difference between a successful or an unsuccessful season. 

The same is certainly true of transfers. If a team manages to move for a player at the ideal time, the results could be huge. If a player is signed too soon, they might not be ready, whereas too late and they could cost too much money. Take Mohamed Salah, for example. Chelsea signed him when he was young, and he just wasn’t ready for the Premier League. Fast forward a few years, however, and the Egyptian is one of the Premier League’s best players at Liverpool.

When you sign a player, then, is so important, and a reported clause in a players contract should be seriously exciting Chelsea right about now. According to German publication BILD, the Blues have a buy-back option for Thorgan Hazard, who left SW6 in favour of a move to Borussia Monchengladbach. Significantly, however, this clause is only valid from the summer – and that could be just about perfect for Chelsea.

After all, looking at the Blues’ current wingers, Willian and Pedro, both players are now past their best, and neither are offering the sort of consistent quality that made them so useful a few years ago. They’re in their 30s, and the fact of the matter is that their long-term futures are less than certain.

Bringing in a younger player, then, makes perfect sense, and particularly one of Thorgan Hazard’s quality. He’s enjoyed a brilliant few years in the Bundesliga, and this year he’s been up there with Europe’s best players. He’s got bags of energy and technique, whilst he’s been able to have a remarkable impact in terms of goals and assists this term. He’s already got 9 goals and 6 assists.

This is all without considering the importance that the arrival of Thorgan would have on his brother Eden’s future. The arrival of his family member could be the extra carrot that Eden Hazard needs to commit long-term.

It’s a perfect scenario for the Blues.

Thoughts?

Nottingham Forest are still in the mix in terms of making the play-offs in the Championship, with Aitor Karanka continuing to hold onto his job despite an increase in pressure.

The Reds, backed by a plethora of summer signings, have at times looked like candidates to go up, but as has been in the norm in recent seasons, inconsistencies have plagued what has the potential to be an excellent season at the City Ground.

The signs are there though, as are the majority of the players needed, and a top six finish should not be counted out, especially if the club can go on to make a few January additions during the current window.

And one man we here at the Tavern feel would be a superb signing with little risk is League One hotshot Tom Eaves, who has already smashed in 14 goals this season for Gillingham.

Eaves, who is quite the handful owing to his size and ability in and around the box, would not cos the world and would no doubt love the chance to prove himself in the league above, not least with a club the size of Forest.

While Lewis Grabban has been in fine form for the Reds, the likes of Daryl Murphy aren’t getting any younger, and the signing of someone like Eaves would be a solid move by the club.

Eaves comes with little risk in terms of wages and transfer fee, and he might just prove to be a difference maker come the second half of the season for Aitor Karanka’s men.

Forest fans, what do you think? Good signing? Let us know in the comments!

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According to the Birmingham Mail, Tammy Abraham’s future with Aston Villa is in some doubt, as the Chelsea loanee’s goalscoring exploits have attracted the interests of potential Premier League suitors.

In the event of the 21-year-old striker’s departure, the Villans must identify and acquire a replacement during this January transfer window.

What’s the word?

The two-cap England international has been prolific in the Championship so far this season and Villa cannot afford for Abraham to leave the club without a replacement being brought in. In fact, they could do with bolstering their attacking contingent regardless of whether Abraham stays or goes.

Pl>ymaker FC’s Theo Ogden made the 100 mile trip from Bolton to Hull only to see his side demolished 6-0 by the Tigers. Check out his reaction in the video below…

Considering Abraham is only at Villa Park on loan, his exit will not raise any funds with which to finance the signing of his replacement. Dean Smith, therefore, must look at further loan options or bargain targets in the lower leagues to reinforce his strike force.

With that in mind, the Midlands outfit ought to be plotting a swoop for Sunderland striker Josh Maja.

Right time to strike

The 20-year-old has been in fine form for the Black Cats so far this season, already well into double figures in terms of goals scored in League One. This month, Villa should seek to bring the exciting young attacker back to the second tier.

What’s more, Maja could be available at a bargain price as Sunderland are running out of time to cash in on him at all. The Lewisham-born forward’s current contract at the Stadium of Light is set to expire at the end of this season, and Maja has recently rejected club’s offer of a new deal, as reported by The Guardian.

Smith ought to capitalise upon this uncertain situation now to secure an ideal replacement option for Abraham who has the potential to become a top striker in the future too.

Manchester United will have plenty of eyes on them this current week as the footballing world looks on to see if the club back Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The Norwegian manager has won every game since taking over the reins from Jose Mourinho, and should he carry on in this way, then there is no reason the former United striker will not be offered the job on a full time basis.

However, there are still some gaps in the United squad which could do with having a bit more depth and quality added to it, and we here in the Tavern think that there are a few out there who the Red Devils could target.

And one man we feel would be a superb addition to the ranks is former Chelsea midfielder Oscar, who has been plying his trade over in China since leaving London a few years back.

Oscar though remains a class act, and the Brazilian international is still only 27, meaning his prime years could well to come.

A classy operator who can play in the middle or further advanced as a number 10 in an ideal world, Oscar would add a touch of class and a goal and assist threat to the United ranks.

He might well be on mega money in China and settled, but a move to United would surely appeal to the former Chelsea man if a move was to be in the pipeline.

Man United fans, what do think? Good signing? Let us know in the comments!