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Everton goalkeeper Jonas Lossl’s imminent return to FC Midtjylland can give Joao Virginia his chance to impress Carlo Ancelotti.

What’s the word?

According to The Athletic, Lossl is on the verge of completing a deal to re-join his former side, Midtjylland, on a free transfer to end his Merseyside nightmare.

The 31-year-old shot-stopper has 18-months remaining on his £28,000-per-week contract but is expected to be allowed to return to the Danish side without a fee, having failed to establish himself at Goodison Park since his arrival in the summer of 2019.

Lossl joined Everton from Huddersfield Town following their relegation to the Championship but is yet to play a single minute for the Blues, while returning to the John Smith’s Stadium for the latter half of the 2019/20 term on loan.

The signing of Robin Olsen in the last transfer window further pushed Lossl down Ancelotti’s pecking order, with the Italian handing the AS Roma loanee five outings across all competitions as the Everton boss feels he is no better or worse than Jordan Pickford.

Reports by the Liverpool Echo earlier in the week claimed that Toffees chiefs had reached an agreement with Lossl on the remainder of his contract after the one-time Denmark international asked to leave now rather than hold out until the summer.

Lossl feels leaving Goodison Park ahead of Monday night’s deadline is the right decision for the sake of his international career, given the rescheduled Euro 2020 is on the horizon.

Virginia’s chance to impress

Ancelotti was the second Everton manager to overlook Lossl as both he and Marco Silva opted to name a 37-year-old Maarten Stekelenburg on the bench at times last season, even if Pickford made blunders that left fans and pundits irate.

Olsen has since replaced Stekelenburg in the ranks at Goodison Park and is clearly thought of fondly by Ancelotti, who wants to make his loan deal permanent, making it no wonder that Lossl and Everton are open to parting ways as soon as possible.

But Lossl’s exit will be seen as a blessing for academy goalkeeper Virginia, who will likely now be given a chance to impress Ancelotti as the Italian’s third-choice option after a challenging campaign back on Merseyside following a season on loan with Reading.

Virginia returned to Ancelotti’s matchday squad for Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at home to Newcastle United, having been omitted from the previous 16 in the Premier League, after featuring on the bench in the first two games of the term.

The 21-year-old also started the Carabao Cup Second Round clash with Salford City and kept a clean sheet, yet his four months in the wilderness have returned few opportunities to feature for the Under 23s, having played just five Premier League 2 fixtures all season.

Ancelotti may now look to keep the youngster, who former Reading boss Jose Gomes claimed is “gifted”, on hand to provide cover between the sticks, and the chance to work with the Italian, Pickford, Olsen and the first-team coaching crew may see that he emerges as the Blues’ potential future number one.

If Ancelotti ultimately does not like what he sees from the 6 ft 3 colossus, at least he and Everton will know they have to hit the transfer market in the summer to find a more suitable option. But the upsides of promoting Virginia full-time are as clear as ever as Lossl prepares to leave.

AND in other news, a £70k-p/w gem let Carlo Ancelotti down as Everton lost to Newcastle…

Steven Gerrard has dropped a huge update about Allan McGregor’s contract situation at Glasgow Rangers.

What’s the word?

The 39-year-old, who re-joined Rangers on a two-year deal after his contract at Hull City expired in 2018, returned from his summer holidays fresh and revitalised and has helped Gerrard’s side storm to the top of the Scottish Premiership.

“We are delighted with his form and if he can maintain that from now until the end of the season then I am sure that will be a big help to us. He is the reason, or one of the big reasons, why we are in the position we are in today,” Gerrard said, as reported by The Glasgow Times.

“We all know his age, we all know his situation and in the coming weeks, I will be sitting down with Allan and having a real good conversation to see what is next for him.

“He will be a major factor in what happens moving forward. We will respect him. He knows his body, he knows where he’s at, he knows where his hunger levels are.”

McGregor has cemented himself as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper, and with his current deal expiring in the summer, a new deal seems like the next logical step given Gerrard’s comments on his long-term role in the side, provided the veteran wants to continue.

Ross Wilson must act now

Despite his advanced age, McGregor is showing no signs of slowing down just yet. He has made 20 Premiership appearances this season, keeping 14 clean sheets, that being the best of any other keeper in the competition besides Aberdeen’s Joe Lewis as they sit joint-top of the leaderboard.

Even his closest rival Jon McLaughlin is struggling to keep up, although he has experienced a downturn in terms of game time most recently but still, the seasoned veteran keeps waxing strong.

While McGregor, who was recently described as “irreplaceable” by the Ibrox manager, may not be the same player he was a decade ago, he has adapted to the rigours of modern-day football and he almost always delivers when it matters the most.

The Rangers ace’s display in the second Old Firm derby of the season proved that while he may be getting on in years, age is just a number and that class is permanent. Against Kilmarnock, he managed to keep yet another clean sheet to add to his impressive record.

When the going gets tough, it’s fair to say that McGregor will come up with the goods more often than not, just like he has done for the majority of his career. This is exactly why Ross Wilson must act now – he simply means too much to the club both on the pitch and off it in terms of their future success.

AND in other Rangers news, Ross Wilson must prioritise giving Glen Kamara a new contract…

Many Manchester United fans were left to slam the display of Mason Greenwood in their 0-0 home draw with Real Sociedad in the UEFA Europa League.

Having won 4-0 away from home in the first leg already, it was always going to be an uphill task for the La Liga club, but Dan James gave away a penalty kick for a needless foul very early on in the first half before Mikel Oyarzabal blazed his shot wide to give Ole Gummar Solskjaer’s men a lucky escape at Old Trafford.

While James may have received a lot of criticism, the performance of Greenwood flattered to deceive several MUFC supporters too.

The England international lost out on three of his duels and also lost possession of the ball no fewer than eight times in the game in total (Sofascore).

He was largely ineffective throughout most parts of the match, even recording fewer touches than his own goalkeeper in Dean Henderson, as he earned a quite measly 6.8 overall rating on Sofascore, the joint-second lowest out of any of his teammates to have started on the pitch.

Manchester United fan reaction to Greenwood display

These Red Devils slammed his performance on Twitter, with one supporter even going as far to claim that the 19-year-old was ‘terrible’:

“Williams is a maniac and is RUBBISH Lindelof I just want him sold I’ve never rated him Greenwood did nothing as usual #MUFC #EuropaLeague”

Credit: @hanlonstweets

“Greenwood needs to step up here. Not in the game, again. #mufc”

Credit: @kick_in_grass

“Greenwood needs to wake up yo”

Credit: @LouieDi13

“Greenwood was terrible today I’m sorry”

Credit: @MUFCROCC0

“Greenwood is a selfish player who only shoots, which is worrying for a player with 1 goal in the league”

Credit: @utd_Jasonn

“Another stinker from Greenwood”

Credit: @Pogbadrip

In other news, find out whose display was slammed in the first leg here!

Dean Windass has exclusively told Football FanCast that Sheffield United should stick with Chris Wilder despite their expected relegation.

The Blades have improved since the turn of the year, winning four of their previous 11 Premier League matches, stark contrast from failing to taste victory in their opening 17 fixtures.

But the Bramall Lane outfit are still 12 points from safety with 10 left to play, and would therefore need an astonishing end to the campaign in order to retain their Premier League status.

Wilder has taken Sheffield United from midtable in League One to on the cusp of European football in the space of four seasons, but might now be tasked with taking his boyhood club back up next season.

And Windass thinks that the Blades hierarchy shouldn’t consider sacking him should they get relegated.

He told Football FanCast:

“One million percent you have got to keep him, he’s got Sheffield United in his blood. It’s been a case of second season syndrome as I call it. You’ve got to keep him, he’ll be planning for next season.

“But for sure he’s the right man for the job. You have got to keep him, like Norwich kept Daniel Farke and they’re top of the league and look like they’re going back up.”

It’s impossible to disagree with Windass here. Wilder has done an exceptional job to get Sheffield United into the Premier League, let alone keep them there and push for Europe, so he at least deserves the chance to turn things around.

After falling to yet another poor result in London last week to West Ham, Leeds United welcome another one of the capital’s Premier League sides in Chelsea on early Saturday afternoon.

Marcelo Bielsa’s men are going through a bit of a sticky patch in terms of their form, with just one win in their previous five top-flight games.

A clash against Thomas Tuchel’s Blues, who are yet to lose under their new manager, is hardly the kind of easy game to get the Whites back on track, but it’s one they may feel they could play without pressure.

The Leeds boss has also been boosted by the return to fitness of a couple of key players ahead of the game, and he may be tempted to make some changes to just freshen things up a little after the 2-0 defeat to the Hammers last time out.

With that in mind, below is a look at how Leeds might line up when Chelsea come to Elland Road.

In goal, Illan Meslier will be hoping to keep his ninth Premier League clean sheet of the season, and the Frenchman could see one big change ahead of him in the back four.

If Stuart Dallas continues in central midfield, Gjanni Alioski could come in at left-back, with the 29-year-old having come on at half-time to good effect at the London Stadium – his total of three key passes was better than any Leeds player on the pitch, despite only playing half the game.

In midfield, the £45k-a-week earning Mateusz Klich’s half-time withdrawal has surely seen Bielsa run out of patience with him, and Rodrigo’s return to full fitness could see the Spaniard come into the starting line-up in his place – putting the summer signing so soon after his injury comeback would be a bold call, but it’s one which could just inject some fresh energy into the side.

Out wide, Helder Costa’s poor run of form in the last couple of weeks is deserving of being dropped, and that could open up a spot for Jack Harrison to reclaim his place in the team.

Predicted XI: Meslier; Ayling, Llorente, Cooper, Alioski; Phillips, Raphinha, Dallas, Rodrigo, Harrison; Bamford.

Meanwhile, Leeds are facing a potential transfer mistake with this man…

Former West Ham striker Marlon Harewood has urged England manager Gareth Southgate to bring Jesse Lingard back into the Three Lions frame, in an exclusive interview with Football FanCast.

The last cap Lingard won came against Switzerland in the UEFA Nations League back in 2019, with the 28-year-old’s lack of playing time at Manchester United seeing him drop out of Southgate’s thinking.

He has since, however, managed to get his career going again thanks to what has been a successful loan spell at West Ham so far, and Harewood believes he has done enough to earn an England recall.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/marlon-harewood-exclusive-west-ham” title=”Marlon Harewood West Ham exclusive”]

Discussing the attacker’s England chances with FFC, Harewood said:

“Jesse Lingard should be back in the frame, just the way he’s been playing. He’s just opening the door because he’s that calibre of player and just needed a bit of confidence and a bit of luck.”

£75,000-a-week man Lingard has certainly made quite the impression following his loan move to West Ham in the January transfer window.

The England international has been directly involved in six league goals in as many games for the Hammers, scoring four times and providing two assists. Even so, competition for a place in Southgate’s squad for Euro 2020 will be fierce.

Lingard’s fellow English attackers Jack Grealish, Mason Mount, James Maddison and Phil Foden will all be hoping that they have done enough for their respective clubs this season to get the nod from Southgate this summer.

Queens Park Rangers got back to winning ways with a victory over Millwall at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Mark Warburton’s side quickly found themselves down 2-0 inside the first 40 minutes before a second-half inspired comeback saw the home side clinch all three points to move into the top half of the table.

Plenty of the Hoops faithful were quick to laud the performance of Lyndon Dykes on his return to the starting XI even despite the striker failing to find the net. Many believed the Scotsman was the ‘Man of the Match,’ as seen here.

However, there was another player – also returning to Warburton’s lineup – that deserves just as many plaudits, if not more.

That being, match-winner Jordy de Wijs, who impressed yet again in only his third appearance since joining from Hull City on loan in January.

Indeed, the 26-year-old Dutchman rated out among the Rs’ best performers with a 7.4 rating from SofaScore – only Lee Wallace (7.5) and Stefan Johansen (7.6) managed better.

And aside from bagging the all-important goal four minutes from time, he was still a rock at the back, even despite the visitors finding the net twice.

De Wijs won three of his four aerial duels (75%) and it was that sort of presence that completely thwarted the Lions’ main threat in Mason Bennett, who won just 19% of his aerial duels, as per SofaScore.

The 6 foot 2 centre-back also put in one clearance and one block in the heart of Warburton’s three-man midfield.

His 92 touches were only bettered by one other player on the pitch, defensive partner Yohan Barbet (99) and that only goes to show just how involved he was in the match, pretty much starting most of QPR’s attacks.

A match-high 74 accurate passes would reinforce that too.

West London Sport waxed lyrical about the £1.08m-rated loanee in their post-match ratings column, grading him a seven out of ten – ‘Atoned for that [error] in a huge way by nodding home Ilias Chair’s corner to seal a remarkable comeback and made a crucial block to deny Wallace when the score was 2-0.’

De Wijs stole the show on the night and that’ll please Warburton immensely.

A number of Liverpool fans have been reacting to James Pearce’s injury update on Jordan Henderson, with plenty of negativity in the air.

The Reds have had a season to forget in 2020/21, with their hopes of defending the Premier League title evaporating dramatically after Christmas.

While Jurgen Klopp and his players certainly deserve an element of blame for what has happened, injuries have played a key role in their shortcomings.

Liverpool have had to put up with an endless stream of fitness issues to key players, with centre-back trio Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip all ruled out for the rest of the campaign.

[freshpress-quiz id=“343638″]

On top of that, Klopp has also had to make do without the likes of Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, Thiago, James Milner, Naby Keita and Diogo Jota for periods, among others.

Although Liverpool’s injury woes have eased a little in recent weeks, Henderson is one of those now sidelined, having picked up a groin issue against Everton last month.

On Sunday, Pearce confirmed in The Athletic that the skipper will likely miss the two Champions League quarter-final clashes against Real Madrid next month.

Liverpool fans bemoan Pearce’s update

These Liverpool supporters took to Twitter to provide their thoughts on the “sad” news about the Reds captain.

“I hope to lord that you are joking. we need him on the 2nd leg!”

Credit: @StateOfReds13

“Whaaat? Did he lose a leg or something?”

Credit: @BaltonHovart

“Rumour has it one day James Pearce will actually give Liverpool fans some good news”

Credit: @SMiTLA

“Damn not even 2nd leg?”

Credit: @baekc01

“This is so sad”

Credit: @Gustavoarena90

“Noooo”

Credit: @addy_gerald

In other news, Liverpool fans have been reacting to a brilliant youngster’s performance over the weekend. Read about it here.

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Steve Bull, who scored 360 goals for Wolves, believes Joao Moutinho could keep playing despite turning 35-years-old later this year, and he should use Zlatan Ibrahimovic as an inspiration.

Moutinho has been a mainstay in Wolves’ midfield since he joined them in 2018 from AS Monaco and despite being 34, Nuno Espirito Santo has handed him 23 starts in the Premier League this season.

If the midfielder needed an inspiration to carry on he only has to look at AC Milan striker Ibrahimovic who, at 39-years old is the fourth top scorer in the Serie A and has just come out of international retirement to play for Sweden at this summer’s European championship.

Speaking on whether the club should bring through youngsters to learn from Moutinho and then replace him, Bull told FFC:

“I think it’s all about youth at the moment and bringing people through. I’ve heard big shouts coming out of the academy saying there are loads coming through.

“If Moutinho is going to be 35 this year and Zlatan Ibrahimovic wants to be in the World Cup at 41-years-old, then anything is possible.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/exclusive-andreas-sondergaard-wolves-premier-league” title=”Exclusive! Andreas Sondergaard talks all things Wolves”]

“As long as he keeps himself fit, because Moutinho’s not the most mobile but he’s the one that gives the ball away the fewest amount of times. He just needs the people around him to go forward.”

Moutinho was a statement signing for Wolves when they first won promotion back to the Premier League as he arrived with Champions League experience and a winner’s mentality having won 16 trophies in both Portugal and France.

Wolves have been linked with Josh Brownhill recently who has impressed through his work rate and enthusiasm at Burnley this season.

Lots of Everton fans have been left to laud a goal scored by Ellis Simms while out on loan for Blackpool against Swindon Town on Saturday afternoon.

As shared by Toffee TV on their Twitter page, the 20-year-old unleashed a fierce strike on the half volley to give the Tangerines the lead, in a game where they eventually won 2-0 away from home in League One.

That is one of four goals that Simms has scored in the division now, while he has also made two assists in the 12 games that he has played in total so far (Transfermarkt).

It is not a bad return at all, and if he keeps scoring goals like that, then the English striker will surely catch the eye of Carlo Ancelotti and may be in with a chance of first-team football for the 2021/22 season.

Everton fans on Simms goal

These members of the Goodison Park faithful lauded the goal on Twitter, with one Blues supporter calling it ‘classy’:

“Cracking finish”

Credit: @Phil_McNamara

“Classy”

Credit: @nickbricks88

“Take a bow son! @_ellissimms”

Credit: @LindseyC1878

“Get him in the team for Monday”

Credit: @TabbyEfc1991

“Caught that perfectly!!”

Credit: @alandean1878

“Cracking goal that!”

Credit: @efc_alex18

In other news, find out which injury update has left Toffees fuming here!