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West Ham were unable to build on their impressive performance against Liverpool two outings ago as they drew with Crystal Palace the following week. But against Fulham this Friday, they have the chance to get a much-need victory.

The Hammers, having spent just shy of £100m in the summer, surely had aspirations of breaking well into the top ten but are currently on the cusp of doing so, although a string of poor results could mean they plummet down the table as the clubs around them are on similar points.

Claudio Ranieri, meanwhile, has largely been unable to clean up the mess left by Slavisa Jokanovic when the Serbian boss was given the boot in November and the Cottagers find themselves second-bottom with just 17 points.

As far as opportunities to get back to winnings ways come, it doesn’t get much better for Manuel Pellegrini and West Ham. How, though, can they assure their poor run of results doesn’t extend to a seventh game and that they maximise this chance to return to top form? Football FanCast lay out three suggested solutions below…

Start either Samir Nasri or Manuel Lanzini

The thing so obviously missing from the Irons’ lacklustre showing at Selhurst Park last time out was an out-and-out playmaker to connect the dots and make things happen. Fortunately for Pellegrini, he has two such players set to make their respective comebacks from injury on Friday.

Nasri has impressed in the number 10 role since his switch to the London Stadium in January while Lanzini has long been a big fan-favourite – the latter hasn’t featured all season, though.

Pellegrini may be hasty to thrust Lanzini in particular, back into action but it’s a risk he must take if he wants to get the best out of Marko Arnautovic, who was starved of service after coming on against the Eagles.

Clog the middle

Declan Rice has been a revelation for the Hammers this season playing at the base of midfield and he will be essential once again if the Irons are to take all three points from Fulham.

The Cottagers hold the second-highest percentage in the league for attacks down the middle with 28%, so Pellegrini would be wise to make sure their ability to do so is limited on Friday. Instructing his players to tuck into the midfield will force Fulham to go out wide as the centre of the pitch will be far too congested.

Fulham will have to come up with different avenues of attack and, by the time they do, West Ham could be out of sight.

Play two up top

West Ham pretty much played with ten men against Palace – Javier Hernandez went completely missing and did nothing to trouble the Eagles defence apart from when he found space in the box early on, but miss-controlled the ball.

Watch how to cross the road like a boss with freestyler Ben Nuttall in the video below…

The former Manchester United man is a quality finisher but starting him up front on his own, where he was deployed against Palace, doesn’t work. Felipe Anderson, meanwhile, thrives with a target man up front such as Arnautovic, and looked lost as to who to pass the ball to last time out.

Arnautovic, who started the season strongly but has recently fallen off amidst injury setbacks, is surely the man to get the best out of both Hernandez and Anderson going forward. Pellegrini needs a striker who he can be confident will score goals beyond 29-year-old Arnautovic and starting the two together could be the combination that ensures Hernandez hits a purple patch. A classic big man and little man partnership.

Crystal Palace have been considering a contract extension for Jordan Ayew, but could it be time to let him go?

Despite making 114 appearances for Crystal Palace overall, he has only scored 12 goals for the Eagles, and his performances haven’t improved in the current season either, with zero goals in 15 appearances.

According to SofaScore, Ayew has missed two big chances and not created any for his team-mates in the Premier League this season – for a centre forward, these stats will be worrying for Vieira. In fact, the Ghanaian has failed to find the back of the net in his last 41 games, dating back to November 2020.

With that being said, contract talks are imminent to extend the 30-year-old’s deal at Selhurst Park, which currently ends next summer, as Vieira hinted that the talks would take place. The Eagles manager will be conscious of the importance of having a forward line which will not only scores goals but also offer creativity to their team-mates in winning points in the Premier League, giving Palace the best chance of staying safe from relegation this season.

“We will get the time where we will find the right time to talk about it. But at the moment, the concentration and focus that I want from the players is about the next game,” the Frenchman stated.

There is now a perfect opportunity for Vieira to move on from the £35k-p/w forward and sell for a cut-price fee in January, before he becomes available on a free in the summer, especially since he will be participating at the Africa Cup of Nations in the next few weeks. Palace could easily sign and integrate a worthy replacement into the team who can offer more goals and more creativity to ensure that they have a comfortable second half of the season and beyond.

Palace will host Everton this weekend, and after losing their last three games, it could be an ideal time to make a change in the attacking third, removing Ayew from the starting line-up.

It is likely that Eberechi Eze could be available, which would be a welcome boost to the attacking prowess of the team.

The 23-year-old has been out for a while after sustaining a nasty Achilles injury in the last week of the 2020/21 season but has since made his slow return to full fitness and will be hoping for a start in the first team. He certainly deserves a chance ahead of Ayew, who has consistently failed to produce the goods throughout the last 12 months.

In other news: One man has benefitted hugely from a Selhurst Park summer exit

Valencia will have to pay €20million (£17m) to sign Leeds United winger Helder Costa permanently, according to a fresh transfer update on the Angola international.

The Lowdown: Costa unwanted at Leeds

The 27-year-old moved to the La Liga giants on loan during the summer transfer window, having been deemed surplus to requirements by Marcelo Bielsa.

Costa has made 11 appearances in the league since making the switch to Spain, and while he hasn’t scored or assisted yet, he seems to have made an impression.

Leeds are likely to jump at the chance of selling the one-time capped Portugal international, who has since switched allegiances to Angola, for good, and it seems that wish may be granted.

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The Latest: Valencia want permanent move

According to Superdeporte [via Sport Witness], Valencia know they will have to pay around £17million to sign Costa and they could ‘dig deep into their pockets’ to make the move happen.

They are set to ‘evaluate’ the situation, with no rush currently to get the deal done.

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The Verdict: Good for all parties

Costa has no future at Leeds – he scored just three times in 13 league starts last season – so the quicker a permanent exit can be sorted, the better it will be for everyone involved.

It will allow Leeds to receive a potentially healthy fee for the wide man and he can settle at a new club, as he aims to kick on in his career.

Costa has undoubted quality, with Nuno Espirito Santo once describing him as ‘immense’, but there are too many players ahead of him in the pecking order at Leeds and eight goals in 71 total appearances for the Whites is a disappointing return for an attacking player, leaving little wonder why Bielsa and co will be happy to get rid for good in 2022.

In other news, Leeds have suffered yet another injury blow. Find out who the player in question is here.

A number of West Ham supporters are ecstatic after centre-back Kurt Zouma was pictured training outside on Friday.

The Hammers have enjoyed another excellent season to date, proving that last term was no fluke as they look to finish in the top four in the Premier League.

David Moyes has been tested in the injury department of late, however, with Zouma and Angelo Obgonna both out injured, having been the go-to centre-back pairing.

While Obgonna is expected to miss the rest of the season with a serious knee problem, Zouma’s situation looks far more positive, acting as a big boost for West Ham.

On Friday, the club’s official Twitter account shared images of the Frenchman back on the training pitches, suggesting his return to the fold is not too far away.

West Ham fans love Zouma latest

These Hammers fans reacted in delighted fashion to the news on Twitter.

“ZOUUUUUUUUUUUMA”

Credit: @connorahumpage

“Things you love to see big Zouuuuuu is back let’s go lad”

Credit: @DannyMeates8

“TITLE CHARGE IS BACK ON!”

Credit: @billy_grimmel

“What a sight”

Credit: @samthomas97_

“Never needed a player as much as we need Big Zou rn”

Credit: @yshealthyv2

“Zouuuuu I’m so happy we got our main man back”

Credit: @JackSeaward69

In other news, some West Ham fans are excited over a transfer claim that has emerged. Read more here.

Writing for Hampshire Live, reliable journalist Tom Leach has claimed that Southampton are still keeping close tabs on Chelsea midfielder Tino Anjorin after he joined Huddersfield Town on loan.

The Lowdown: Saints in January talks…

As per reliable reports, the Saints entered transfer talks to sign Anjorin last month as the club, and by extension new owners Sport Republic, eyed yet another west London raid.

This comes amid their interest in signing loanee striker Armando Broja on a permanent deal and after they also completed moves for ex-Blues defender Tino Livramento and Dynel Simeu from Stamford Bridge last year (Evening Standard).

Now, in another update concerning their latest target from Chelsea, Leach has shared some news.

The Latest: Journalist shares Anjorin update…

According to the Hampshire Live reporter, Southampton remain interested in the 20-year-old and scouts will watch him ‘closely’ as he moves to Huddersfield on a six-month temporary deal.

This comes after Saints transfer chief and CEO Martin Semmens personally held a summit with Anjorin’s agent/father in the week leading up to deadline day.

The Verdict: Promising talent…

Depending on Anjorin’s performances at the The John Smith’s Stadium, it will be interesting to see whether Southampton and Semmens lodge another summer bid as they retain an interest.

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has already lauded the former Lokomotiv Moscow loanee despite the fact he has only made four senior competitive appearances for his parent club.

Indeed, the ex-Paris-Saint Germain manager called him ‘confident’, ‘strong’ and ‘creative’ – leaving little wonder Semmens and co are keeping watch of his situation.

In other news: Southampton now also keen on ‘massive’ £15 million man as they join four-club queue, find out more here.

Dele Alli’s time at Tottenham Hotspur could soon be coming to an end after the club were linked with a move for a new attacking midfielder…

What’s the word?

According to Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport (via Football Italia), Spurs will battle their north London rivals Arsenal to sign the Juventus outcast during the January transfer window.

It was the Lilywhites’ sporting director Fabio Paratici who signed him for the Serie A giants, so they could well be leading the race to seal his signature, in which Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich are also keen.

The Bianconeri appear to be willing to sell the 20-cap Sweden international for a minimum of €35m (£30m) to €40m (£34m) next month.

Bye-bye Alli?

The 21-year-old dynamo, who is capable of playing anywhere along the frontline, has dropped down the pecking order at the Allianz Stadium under Massimiliano Allegri this season.

Just four of his 21 appearances this term have been starts, whilst he has provided one goal and four assists from just 724 minutes of action, per Transfermarkt.

Last season, he enjoyed a lot of success as he delivered 14 direct goal contributions across 47 matches. What made that even more impressive was the fact that he did so whilst playing in at least seven different roles. A very versatile talent, indeed.

If that isn’t enough to suggest that he’s a perfect fit for Antonio Conte and his system, then perhaps praise from others in and around the game is.

“Kulusevski is an explosive player who likes to challenge his direct opponent,” once claimed ex-Sweden striker Marcus Allback to The Sun. “He likes to dribble with the ball, play the short passes and he is very good on the through balls. He’s quick and would cause a lot of trouble for most of the teams he plays.”

Whilst experienced Italian coach Pierpaolo Bisoli believes there are shades of Mohamed Salah about him “He has incredible physical strength. He reminds me of a young Salah for the way he shakes off opponents in the first ten metres,” he said.

On the above evidence, the fact that he is versatile and hugely dynamic, Kulusevski could well be a better fit for Conte at Spurs than Alli, whose best position is still undetermined.

Furthermore, there have been reports suggesting that Tottenham could finally be open to selling the 25-year-old amid his long-term struggles on the pitch.

Once dubbed a “freak of a talent” by former Lilywhites star Darren Anderton, Alli has failed to hit the heights of his past glory, managing only one goal and one assist this season.

Therefore, the £27m-rated dynamo could offer Conte and co a lot more than the Englishman, so if they are able to secure a move for him in January, then the club absolutely must do all they can to pull it over the line.

Spurs’ new boss could finally bin Alli with a move for the exciting Swedish sensation.

AND in other news, “Serious chance”: Romano drops teasing Spurs transfer update that’ll have fans buzzing…

Many Aston Villa fans have erupted after footage of Emiliano Martínez making an ‘incredible’ save versus Leicester City was shared on the club’s social media accounts.

Aston Villa continued their strong start under Steven Gerrard with a 2-1 win over Leicester, with defender Ezri Konsa leading the comeback after scoring twice at Villa Park.

Following the win, Villa manoeuvred above Leicester in the standings, moving up into the top-half of the table –  in 10th place.

Goalkeeper Martínez continued to be in fine-form after making 3 saves to deny the Foxes a much-needed point, boosting Gerrard’s record to three wins in four.

Having made four clean sheets in 14 appearances in the Premier League this season, Martínez has proven to be essential to Villa. Since his arrival from Arsenal in 2020, the Argentine has become a fan favourite, and with plenty of good reason.

In his debut 2020/21 season, the keeper tied Brad Friedel’s club record of 15 Premier League clean sheets in a single campaign, and so was voted Supporters’ Player of the Season – just last week he landed sixth in the yearly Yashin award.

His importance was certainly on show in the game against Leicester, where Martínez made a ‘magical’ reactionary save to keep the Villans ahead, denying a headed effort from Harvey Barnes.

Villa fans on Martínez’s save

These Villa fans were amazed all over again by the footage (via AVFC Official) on Monday, and flocked to Twitter to express their delight.

“just makes it look effortless doesn’t he”

@catrinavfc

“The man is magical!”

@7500toHolte

“That save was absolutely incredible”@undead_villian”That was out of this world. Brilliant to watch.”@pies61187“Best in the world.”@gerags99″Save of the season”@82Cornelius