Soccer VDO

According to Sascha Tavolieri on Twitter, West Ham United have been dealt a major boost in their pursuit of 29-year-old Club Brugge midfielder Hans Vanaken in the 2022 summer transfer window. West Ham United have made some astute moves this summer but could do with a few more as they look to build upon the recent successes. One position that needs an addition is in attacking midfield, where the Hammers lack a reliable option.

Pablo Fornals and Manuel Lanzini have had their moments for the Hammers but are far from consistent performers. Signing Hans Vanaken will address that issue for West Ham and give David Moyes an experienced player who can slot straight into the playing XI.

Five-time European champions Barcelona have failed to win a preseason friendly game for the first time this summer after they were forced to a 2-2 draw by Juventus. The two teams are presently on tour of the US (United States) and they faced off with each other on Tuesday night with the game ending in a four-goal thriller.

Frenchman Ousmane Dembele was the star of the show after he scored two superb goals in the first half though former Everton FC of England striker Moise Kean was able to match him in terms of goals after he scored a brace either side of the half-time break. Italian international Kean scored an equaliser for the Old Lady in the first half after Dembele had given Barcelona the lead. Dembele then scored again in the first half to ensure that his team went into the break with a 2-1 lead. Kean then scored the only goal in the second half to ensure that the game ended in a draw.

England international winger Jadon Sancho was on target for Manchester United again in pre-season as his team lost a two-goal lead to play a 2-2 draw with Aston Villa in an all-Premier League affair. The former Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund star has been in very good form for the Red Devils this summer after netting twice in the first three matches in pre-season this summer.

Sancho and Manchester United came into the Villa game with a record of three wins from three friendly games this summer. However, they were unable to make it four wins from four friendly games due to the draw with Villa.

Manchester City attacker Raheem Sterling is set to make a decision on his future at the club amidst the transfer rumours of a move to Premier League rivals Chelsea. According to the report from the Manchester Evening News (MEN), England international Sterling has been told to make a decision on his future by City officials. The expectation on the part of City officials is that the England player will make a decision on his future.

Sterling, 27, has a year left on his current deal at Manchester City and he needs guarantees over a regular playing time to commit his long-term future to the club. However, there are no guarantees from manager Pep Guardiola who has a star-studded squad at his disposal. Guardiola and City won't block Sterling if the England international decides to leave the club. City will prefer to sell him for a transfer fee rather than let him leave on a free transfer next summer when his contract is up.

Six players have been named on the list of nominees for the PFA Young Player of the Year award. All the six players who made the list on Wednesday were from the England junior and senior teams.

The Arsenal duo of Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith-Rowe made the PFA Young Player nominees list after a stellar season for the Gunners. Both Saka and Smith-Rowe are graduates of the Arsenal Academy.

Everton boss Frank Lampard has revealed that England defender Ben Godfrey is on course to make his return to the squad for the Palace game on Thursday night. Lampard and his Everton players have Premier League safety in their sights ahead of the visit of London team Crystal Palace.

On Godfrey, Lampard spoke about him during his pre-match press conference on Wednesday ahead of the Palace game. According to him, the utility England defender has done well to make himself available for his squad ahead of the Palace following a spell out due to a thigh problem. Lampard stated that the player will likely be in the Everton squad for the game and that a decision would be made on his potential involvement in the game.

Man Utd were fortunate to claim a 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Old Trafford on a night when their problems in midfield were clear for all to see. If the departure of Nemanja Matic this summer is supposed to signal a changing of the guard to Scott McTominay, then this match was proof that is not an option for Manchester United. Matic had a steady game in United's midfield, but McTominay was outthought and outbattled in the centre of the pitch, while his distribution was woeful.

Burnley moved closer to Premier League safety thanks to the 3-2 win at home to Everton in their rescheduled game at Turf Moor on Wednesday. Ivorian international Maxwel Cornet scored the winning goal five minutes from time as the Clarets came from behind to score two second half goals and seal an important win over Everton in the race to stay in the Premier League.

Visitors Everton began the game with a four-point cushion over Burnley who are third from bottom on the Premier League log and the slim defeat to the Clarets means that the advantage is down to just one point.

Boyhood Liverpool supporter ConorCoady was delighted that he scored the only goal of the game for Wolverhampton Wanderers who were able to secure a 1-0 away win over relegation-threatened Everton as a result. England international Coady provided the finishing touch to the cross from Ruben Neves in the first half via a header and it turned out to be the only goal of the game as Wolves preserved the slim advantage until the end of the game.

England defender Coady was the main man in the Wolves defence as usual as he coordinated his colleagues to a big win in their quest for Champions League football next season.

Tottenham Hotspur have boosted their hopes of finishing in the top-four at the end of this season's Premier League (PL) campaign after their five-star performance against Everton. The Antonio Conte-led team scored five goals without reply to close the gap on Arsenal who are in fourth spot at the moment.

Spurs knew they had to win if they are to increase their chances of finishing at least fourth at the end of the season and they did just that. They are in the fight to finish in fourth position alongside North London rivals Arsenal, Manchester United and West Ham United.