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The 26th of March marked five years since Jamie Vardy’s first goal for England against Germany.

The striker, then making his fifth appearance for his country, showed lethal instincts to flick Nathaniel Clyne’s cross behind himself and past Manuel Neuer into the back of the net.

It was another glorious chapter for Vardy, whose goals were soon to guide Leicester to the most miraculous Premier League title triumph.

However, fast-forward five years and the 34-year-old is now firmly out of the Three Lions reckoning, having all-but retired from international duty after the 2018 World Cup in Russia with 26 caps and seven goals to his name.

Whilst there have been suggestions that Vardy’s decision was slightly too premature, he has certainly been vindicated.

Since he stepped back, his performances for the Foxes have remained excellent. He has scored an eye-watering 55 goals for Leicester in the time following, playing a key role as the East Midlanders secured a place in the UEFA Europa League last term but also as they look to better that with a UEFA Champions League return this time around.

The striker, dubbed “wonderful” by Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers, scooped another fantastic personal achievement last year, too. He become the first Leicester City player to claim the Golden Boot, with his 23 strikes in 2019/20 enough to see him edge ahead of the likes of Harry Kane, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mo Salah.

All of this may not have been possible had Vardy had the strains and travels of international football to contend with.

After all, the toll on his body appears to be worsening already. Vardy has missed seven matches in all competitions this season through injury – the highest amount for he has been unavailable in one campaign since Leicester earned promotion back to the Premier League. This could have potentially been even worse with England duties had he not stepped back from the international scene.

At the time of his unofficial retirement, the veteran also suggested that a lack of game-time had “an impact” in his decision. Kane, Daniel Sturridge and Danny Welbeck were all preferred by Roy Hodgson and Gareth Southgate.

That competition has only been enhanced, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Danny Ings, Ollie Watkins, Patrick Bamford and of course Kane having fantastic personal seasons and all vying for a place in the Three Lions setup.

Whilst it could be argued that Vardy has the quality to challenge for a place, he will reflect on a solid England career which all kicked off with that stunning finish against Germany in 2016, and will surely believe he made the correct decision in drawing it to a close when he did.

AND in more news, Leicester should not look to sign William Carvalho once more…

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, former Sheffield Wednesday loanee Dean Windass has described the appointment of Darren Moore as a “positive” one for the Owls.

Wednesday had been without a manager since Tony Pulis was sacked following a run of just one victory in 10 Championship matches towards the end of December.

First team coach Neil Thompson was placed in interim charge and enjoyed an excellent start in the Hillsborough dugout, leading the Owls to five wins in his opening seven games which saw them climb out of the relegation zone.

However, four defeats on the bounce has left Wednesday in serious danger of losing their Championship status, and just three days after they squandered a two-goal lead to lose at Luton, Moore left his duties at League One promotion-chasing Doncaster Rovers to make the short trip across Yorkshire.

And despite losing his first game to Rotherham on Wednesday night, Windass told FFC that he was upbeat about Moore’s appointment. He said:

“I think it’s a positive one. I was speaking to Josh on Tuesday when he came into the training ground and met all of the players. He’s my ex-teammate, so I know Darren really well when I signed for Bradford, he was our big man at the back. Josh said to me ‘he wants to play from the back, he doesn’t want to launch it long’.

“He did a magnificent job at West Brom, unfortunate to lose his job in my opinion, and then obviously got back into the game with Doncaster.”

Doncaster currently sit 6th in the League One standings, so is Windass surprised that Moore opted to leave?

He added: “It’s a strange one in a sense of they’re flying high in League One. But maybe sometimes in football nowadays, it’s not so much about the money, it’s about the challenge and Sheffield Wednesday is a massive football club. It’s a big challenge for him, but fair play to him for leaving League One and Doncaster maybe getting promoted.”

There’s so much to admire about Moore, but following their defeat to Rotherham, Wednesday are now in serious danger of being relegated, so he needs to get results or he’ll be a League One manager quicker than he might have thought.

Paul Robinson says Chris Wilder could harness his ‘very good relationship’ with the Sheffield United players to bring some of them to Celtic if he were appointed manager at Parkhead.

It was confirmed on Saturday that Wilder had left the club, who are bottom of the Premier League and 14 points adrift of safety, by mutual consent.

Wilder had taken them from League One to the top-flight in a little over three years. Last season, he led them to an excellent ninth-place finish.

The 53-year-old is now one of the favourites to take over at Celtic after Bramall Lane sources suggested this weekend that a move could be on the cards.

Wilder tipped to bring ‘clever’ transfer approach to Celtic

Former Premier League ‘keeper Robinson reckons Wilder would be the ‘perfect choice’ and could bring some talented players from South Yorkshire to Glasgow.

“Wilder is someone who can be clever in the market,” he told Football Insider.

“Yes, he did not have a great window in the summer with Rhian Brewster and others and perhaps that was his downfall.

“I think he would be the perfect choice for Celtic though.

“I suspect Wilder has a very good relationship with a lot of the players at Sheffield United. If he did go to Celtic and he wanted to sign some of his former players, I am sure he could.”

Transfer Tavern verdict

Robinson isn’t the only one to gush over Wilder, with Rio Ferdinand claiming the charismatic boss deserves a statue in Sheffield and stating he will have “loads of suitors” (Daily Mail).

He transformed the careers of some of the Blades players in their ascent up the divisions, and so it is not unrealistic to expect that they would answer his call, particularly if Championship football is indeed the alternative.

George Baldock, Chris Basham and David McGoldrick are among those with only a year or so left on their contracts, and so may be the most realistic targets.

In other news, Kevin Phillips says Celtic would be taking a ‘gamble’ if they were to target this coach

Many Everton fans have been lauding an update from the Goodison Park faithful as the club tweeted that Dominic Calvert-Lewin is back in training.

The England international missed the Merseyside club’s 2-1 win away at Wolves in their last outing in the Premier League but it looks as if he may be ready to play Sheffield Wednesday at home in the FA Cup on Sunday night, if not in their next top flight match against Leicester City on Wednesday.

He has been such a key player for Carlo Ancelotti’s team in the 2020/21 term, scoring no fewer than 14 goals and making a further assist in 19 appearances in all competitions so far (Transfermarkt), and the Toffees will surely be buzzing to have him back fit and available for selection again.

Everton fan reaction to Calvert-Lewin update

These Blues lauded the update that the 23-year-old is back in training on Twitter, with one EFC fan describing it as ‘wonderful’:

“There goes my heroooooo”

Credit: @seann1878

“Corrrr this is the content”

Credit: @edwardahight

“Yeeeeeeerse. Probably dying to play on Wednesday.”

Credit: @AntiWanKenobi

“Lets gooooooo”

Credit: @aqqqqqqil

“Things you love to see”

Credit: @karimmenem2

“Wonderful to see”

Credit: @StacyMu78345188

In other news, find out why Everton fans are slamming a Sky Sports blunder here!

After sealing a Premier League double over Arsenal last time out, Aston Villa make the trip to Brighton on Saturday evening looking to stay in the hunt for a European place next season.

Dean Smith’s side came out as 1-0 winners over the Gunners thanks to a goal from Ollie Watkins, and face a Brighton team coming off the back of a FA Cup exit in mid-week to Leicester.

Smith is unlikely to ring the changes again for the game at the Amex, but he could look to bring in a couple of familiar faces in a bid to just keep things freshened up.

And with that in mind, below is a look at how Villa might line up for when they take on Graham Potter’s men.

In goal, Emiliano Martinez will be hoping to add to his impressive tally of 11 Premier League clean sheets this season after securing one against his former side last week.

In front of him, the back-four should remain unchanged, with both Matt Targett and Tyrone Mings in particular absolutely outstanding in the victory over the Gunners.

The midfield could see a couple of changes however, with Morgan Sanson surely now pushing for his first start in the Premier League for his new side.

If the Frenchman comes into the team, he could be joined by the £24.3m-rated Douglas Luiz who was given a breather by Smith last weekend – that could see both John McGinn and Marvelous Nakamba drop to the bench.

And while Jack Grealish, Ross Barkley and Ollie Watkins should keep their places further forward, the 46-cap Trezeguet could come into the team after dropping out of the starting line-up since picking up that injury back in December.

Predicted XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett; Luiz, Sanson; Trezeguet, Barkley, Grealish; Watkins.

Tottenham Hotspur were given another timely reminder to why they should be signing Bayer Leverkusen sensation Leon Bailey this transfer window.

According to the Daily Mail, Spurs sent scouts to watch him in action for their Europa League clash against Slavia Prague.

In a quickfire first-half, the tricky winger nabbed himself a brace from three shots and recorded seven dribbles, via WhoScored.

The report also claimed that the Bundesliga outfit valued Bailey at around £36m, which is starting to look rather tempting as he’s just delivered a masterclass yet again.

Leverkusen could only draw 1-1 with Werder Bremen to keep their place among the top three in the division, but the 23-year-old graded out as their best player with a 7.4 rating, per SofaScore.

Bailey delivered four successful dribbles, two key passes and had a whopping 81 touches, proving to be the main focal point for Peter Bosz’s squad.

He also lost possession 28 times, but that is a mere consequence of his blistering pace (once clocked at a top speed of 21.4mph) and the ability to cut inside to create chances rather than take on his man to the by-line.

Although the Jamaican winger couldn’t add a goal or assist, he has managed to score nine and assist seven in all competitions this term, whilst he is averaging 2.2 shots, 1.7 dribbles and 1.4 key passes per appearance in the Bundesliga and Europa League combined, per WhoScored.

Again, the Leverkusen sensation is proving why he’d be every bit of an upgrade on struggling Spurs star Lucas Moura, who has scored just once in the Premier League since December 2019.

That’s is an abhorrent record for a player that has already only played 13 fewer times for Jose Mourinho than Mauricio Pochettino.

Moura has never managed a better average than 1.6 shots and one key pass per game in the Premier League since his £25m arrival from Paris Saint-Germain, only adding further fuel to Bailey being the far better option.

Interestingly, the Leverkusen man has been likened to one of Mourinho’s former players in Arjen Robben, so perhaps it is no surprise to see the Special One want to scout him profusely.

The explosive speed demon has been dubbed a “very rare” and “exceptional” talent by ex-Ajax coach Ronald de Boer, whilst Total Football Analysis claim he is a “nightmare for every defence.”

After another masterclass, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy must be on alert. He could hand Mourinho the perfect Moura upgrade, all for just £36m.

AND in other news, Exclusive: Gary Mabbutt blown away by THIS Spurs teenager…

Writing on Twitter, club insider and reliable source ExWHUemployee dropped a fitness update surrounding exciting young forward Mipo Odubeko – going on to claim he is unlikely to feature against Doncaster Rovers in the FA Cup. 

Odubeko was thought to have tested positive for COVID-19, but ExWHUemployee has now revealed that the results were incorrect and he has been falsely isolating – with manager David Moyes saying in his press conference yesterday that they were waiting on the doctor to see which test is ‘correct’ (football.london).

Dropping his update on the situation, ExWHUemployee states the test was in fact negative and the youngster has been isolating under false information – with the 18-year-old now unlikely to play today due to lack of match fitness.

Flocking to this news, many Irons had plenty to say – find all of their verdicts from social media down below.

West Ham fans flock to ExWHUemployee update

“That’s so West Ham”

Credit: @williebeau18

“I refuse to believe a week off training enables them to not be match for. Is he hold up in a Flat with no garden? Tennis players are in two weeks isolation in hotels rooms and with a week to prepare for tournament after.”

Credit: @billy_wesson

“This club never fails to do a West Ham, even when we’re high flying.”

Credit: @WestHam_Central

“West Ham being West Ham”

Credit: @jxck_whufc

“He is 18, surely he is fit enough to play some part!!!”

Credit: @Dengiehammer

“Surely he wouldn’t get that unfit in less than 2 weeks !?!”

Credit: @lee_sifford

“18 year old professional footballer can’t play because he had 5 days off. Wow!”

Credit: @The_BoleynBoys

“I’m sure hes been exercising at home. Perfect opportunity to see what his like!”

Credit: @BradCranefield

In other news: West Ham are preparing a new bid for this Antonio-esque attacker, find out more here.

Everton could land a huge upgrade on Yerry Mina in SSC Napoli defender Nikola Maksimovic, who is reportedly set to leave the Serie A side as a free agent in the summer.

What’s the word?

According to journalist Ciro Venerato, while speaking on Radio Kiss Kiss via Napoli Magazine, Ancelotti is still a fan of Maksimovic’s talents and is considering the benefits of a move for the Serbia international with his £36,000-per-week contract due to expire at the end of the season.

Napoli are prepared to lose the 29-year-old for nothing as they are loath to paying what the centre-half feels is an adequate wage for his stature at the Stadio San Paolo, despite being often omitted from the starting line-up since his arrival in 2016.

Maksimovic featured in just eight Serie A fixtures during the 2016/17 season after joining on loan from Torino and enjoyed a Napoli career-high 22 outings last term, but has played just 44 minutes during the current campaign as Gennaro Gattuso persists without him.

Everton were said to have been in the hunt for Maksimovic’s services during the summer window before landing Ben Godfrey from Norwich City, with reports suggesting the Blues had joined AC Milan and AS Roma in courting the centre-half Napoli valued at €20million (£18m).

It remains to be seen if Everton revive their interest next summer with Maksimovic set to become a free agent, a year on from Ancelotti originally considering the 6 ft 3 titan for the Toffees.

Huge Yerry Mina upgrade

While Maksimovic is struggling to feature for Napoli amid his standoff with the Serie A side, the Serbia international would serve as a huge upgrade on Mina should Ancelotti convince Everton to position the club front and centre ahead of the defender becoming a free agent.

Mina had begun the campaign as one of Ancelotti’s first-choice centre-halves alongside Michael Keane, but the Colombian lost his place in the side in parallel with Mason Holgate’s return from a toe injury and again dropped out following a recall at Fulham.

Ancelotti has even stated how he expects Mina to make a mistake when given the chance to play, having been accused of shattering the 26-year-old’s confidence by axing him for last month’s 3-1 loss at home to Manchester United.

“No, I don’t think he was affected by this. It was not a good game,” Ancelotti said, via quotes by the Liverpool Echo. “The character of Yerry is strong, he is a strong character. Unfortunately, sometimes he makes mistakes, as all of the players do. But he is still confident and has no problem to play.”

Maksimovic made just one error that led to a shot in the Serie A last term and gave away one penalty, but registered 1.6 successful tackles, 2.8 clearances, 1.4 interceptions, won 4.2 duels (56%) and lost possession just 5.3 times a game, per SofaScore.

Mina, meanwhile, has already committed one error that led to a goal in the Premier League this season, and registers just 0.6 successful tackles and 3.6 duels won a game – including 2.5 aerial duels won (69%).

Andre Gomes has been met with a huge hurdle to impress Carlo Ancelotti and regain his place in the Everton line-up after a lacklustre cameo at Leicester City on Wednesday night.

The Portuguese midfielder has not started a Premier League fixture since the Toffees were beaten 2-1 at Newcastle United at the start of November, with Ancelotti only feeling fit to field Gomes from the bench in four fixtures over the weeks since.

Gomes had been one of Ancelotti’s first names on the teamsheet when the campaign begun, yet struggled to prove himself on the field and has done little to force the Italian to rethink his plans.

The former FC Barcelona talent revealed last month that he was still feeling the effects of the fractured dislocation to his right ankle sustained against Tottenham more than a year ago, with fitness a key concern.

“The truth is, I am still trying to find my best feeling, to get fit, to get ready to be 100 per cent for all the game,” the 27-year-old said, via quotes by the Liverpool Echo.

“In the past months, with the pandemic, it was hard for me physically. A lot of details can change, my body shape or how fit I feel. When we came back after the first lockdown, I had a really small injury in one place, then something else in another place, because I was trying to compensate coming from the big injury.

“I was trying to get fit and regain power. We had a small pre-season before nine games in two months. Then we had a short break and another small pre-season, when I needed minutes.

“It would have been perfect for me to have all that time to recover and prepare in a normal way. Now, I am working to get as fit as I can and trying to feel better, trying to be confident when we are playing. But, more than anything else, I am trying to improve physically.”

Gomes was given a chance to show himself in a better light at the King Power Stadium on Wednesday night when Ancelotti called on him to replace Allan after losing the Brazilian to a hamstring injury late in the first half.

But the £18million-rated maestro failed to deliver and continues to be met with a huge hurdle to regain a place in the starting line-up, after appearing well off the pace against Leicester in a game his best contribution was in fouling Harvey Barnes to prevent a dangerous counter-attack.

The one-time La Liga winner only came out on top in five of his 10 ground duels in the East Midlands, lost possession 11 times, committed two fouls, was dribbled past once and failed to record any of his 35 touches inside the final-third, per SofaScore.

His only defensive contribution came through two successful tackles, while failing to push forward ensured Gomes ended the night without a shot or key pass beside his name despite boasting a 100% dribble success rate.

Ancelotti may be fearing for the loss of Allan and questioning who can step up when Everton host Arsenal on Saturday, but it would take a Christmas miracle for Gomes to saunter back into the line-up anytime soon.

AND in other news, Everton enter a four-way battle to sign a gritty 21-goal marksman in January.

If there were any raised eyebrows at Arsenal handing out a bumper four-year deal to Cedric, then his performance on Thursday night in the Europa League just served to reinforce those major doubts.

Speaking a few months ago, Mikel Arteta made a point of hailing the Portugal international’s quality, and saying that he was ready to showcase his talents.

He said: “He’s a different quality in the full-back area than what we have. He’s a gifted, technical player and is probably the best we have in the final third to make the right decision and attack the box as well. He can play in a four or a five, he’s a really good player with experience in the Premier League that can help us.”

If Arteta was hoping that his words were going to be vindicated against Rapid Vienna, then he was sadly mistaken. Playing as a right wing-back in this back-five formation, Cedric looked completely out of sorts, particularly strange given his previous experience of playing in the Europa League.

As per Sofascore, he delivered no defensive contributions whatsoever in the time that he was on the pitch, making zero tackles, interceptions, clearances or even blocked shots.

And going forward, he wasn’t much better either, registering no shots and only successfully delivering two out of the six crosses that he attempted.

It was no surprise that when Arteta took him off in the 61st minute for Hector Bellerin, the Gunners looked a far bigger threat, and it was the Spaniard himself who ended up setting up Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for the Arsenal winner.

Bellerin is the undoubted first-choice in the Premier League, but if his deputy can’t even deliver a competent performance in the secondary competitions, then what was the point of signing him permanently?

Arteta hasn’t got many things wrong at Arsenal in his short time in charge – the FA Cup and Community Shield triumphs are testament to that – but his part in Cedric still being at the club has been his biggest blunder.