Last year, the Championship season simply swept Brighton by. The Seagulls finished 20th, a terrible finish for a squad consisting of several quality players. Their hugely impressive new stadium was fairly sparsely populated by the end of the season, as the locals expressed their displeasure at the standard of football on offer at home games. A porous defence leaked goals like a sieve, while a fairly toothless strike-force simply did not stick the ball in the net on a regular enough basis.What a difference a few months makes. Now the Seagulls are playing with the sort of confidence and swagger that befits a team flying high at the top of the league. New signings have doubtless made a huge difference to the side for a start. The experience and class of Bobby Zamora will have done wonders for the group, with his knowledge and years of acquired wisdom about the game a massive asset to the south coast side. He can still over a great deal on the pitch as well, and will be very useful as potentially a back-up striker to the main man at the moment, Israeli international Tomer Hemed, who signed in the summer. Hemed has settled in well to life at Brighton, scoring six goals so far this campaign. He has been ably supported by other attacking players such as new signing Jamie Murphy, a summer acquisition from Sheffield United, and Beram Kayal, who brings a bit of class to the midfield after moving from Celtic in January. Added to the trickery and flair of Kazenga LuaLua (younger brother of THE LuaLua), who is adept at bursting past defenders with either pace or skill, and you can see that they have a formidable attacking line up.The defence is also looking strong, experienced Scotsman Gordon Greer marshalling a backline that includes Bruno Saltor, Inigo Calderon and Lewis Dunk (who also has a habit of picking up a fair few goals). Relentlessly well-organised and well-drilled this year, the momentary lapse in concentration that led to Boltons last minute equaliser last Saturday will have hurt and group; Chris Hughton is a coach who prides himself on organisation and a hard work ethic that lets every opposing team they’re in for a serious game when they take on the Seagulls. Hughton is a man on a mission, having taken over in December after a miserable few months for Brighton under the stewardship of Sami Hypia, for whom things just didn’t work out. Hughtons first job after arriving at the AMEX was simply to stabilise a side who were careering around the lower echelons of the Championship with no direction and no belief.Having removed any realistic possibilities of relegation, thoughts turned to the next season. Results still remained fairly low-key, but Hughton was quietly putting the blocks in place, on the training ground and in the transfer market, to make this season a much better one. Getting the large crowd that the AMEX can still attract fully behind the players has been one of his biggest achievements, and the ground now gets one of the largest average attendances in the league. While they may not be seeing all-out attacking football with the constant prospect of their side overwhelming visiting teams, Brighton play a neat passing style of football with midfielders and wingers who always look to break into the box, all with Hemed doing an excellent job leading the line, mostly on his own.Hughtons side may not have the stand-out names or familiar faces that Derby, Burnley or Middlesbrough, but with each win their confidence will keep growing and this new-look side will become harder and harder to face. If anyone now asks if they can get promoted, while there is still of course a very long way to go, I would ask in response, why not?

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino is delighted with his side’s character after their 2-1 Europa League win over Anderlecht on Thursday, Daily Mail reports.

Harry Kane put Spurs ahead in the first half, but Imoh Ezekiel levelled the game in the 72nd minute and it looked like it would finish 1-1.

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However, substitute Moussa Dembele smashed in a brilliant shot three minutes from time to give Pochettino’s men the victory.

This means that now the Lilywhites sit top of their Europa League group with seven points, while Monaco are in second with six.

But more importantly, the win is a big boost ahead of the North London Derby this weekend, with Tottenham hosting Arsenal at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

“We knew Anderlecht are a very good team,” Pochettino said. “It was a difficult start to the game. They had some chances. The way we managed the ball and moved the ball was very slow. It was difficult for us to create chances.

“The way Anderlecht play is to sit deep and move forward with very fast players but we showed character. It is difficult to play every game, creating chances and always trying to play from the back with our philosophy.

“Today I congratulate the players because sometimes when you don’t play well you need to show character – and compete and suffer. Today we learned a lot.”

The Argentine went on to lavish praise on Dembele, who was struggling for game time last season but now seems to be a big part of Pochettino’s plans this term.

“If we analyse him last season, part of the season he was injured,’ Pochettino said. “I think Dembele from the beginning of this season, every time he was available he had the possibility to play.

“Always it’s up to the player. If the player shows he deserves to play, it’s easy for them. I am very pleased with him. He got injured against Everton and had some problems with his foot but today he was very important for us.”

Dembele, 28, has played 10 games in all competitions this season, scoring three goals (Whoscored.com).

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Now eight fixtures into the new season, even the more old-fashioned fans are starting take notice of the Premier League table.

Indeed, how you finish is always more important than how you start but we’re already getting a taste of how the season might pan out here at Football FanCast.

Likewise, eight games is probably just about an acceptable enough sample to start formulating opinions on the English top flight’s new arrivals, some of which have been performing better than expected, some of which are still yet to truly justify their price-tags and some of which have been incredibly disappointing.

So with that in mind, Football FanCast have drawn up our Signings of the Summer XI, composed completely of the eleven new arrivals who have impressed us most so far.

Do you you agree? Do you disagree? Is there someone we’ve shamefully missed out? Let us know your opinions by commenting below!

GOALKEEPER – PETR CECH

Barring an opening day blooper against West Ham, Petr Cech has performed to the world-class levels expected since moving to Arsenal for a £10million fee this summer.

The former Chelsea No.1 produced two vital saves to prevent a comeback in the Gunners’ 3-0 win over Manchester United two weekends ago, whilst Arsenal’s struggles in his absence against Champions League opposition Dynamo Zagreb and Olympiacos pay testament to the much-needed calmness, composure and organisation the Czech international has brought to the north London outfit’s backline.

RIGHT BACK – CEDRIC SOARES

Nathaniel Clyne left pretty big shoes to fill at Southampton after departing for Liverpool but replacement Cedric Soares has certainly done a decent job so far.

The Portugal international has missed just one Premier League fixture for the Saints this term, playing an important role in clean sheets against Watford and West Brom and that unforgettable 3-1 win over Chelsea two weekends ago.

In the process, he’s averaged 3.3 tackles, 2.9 interceptions and 1.1 created chances per match. Perhaps most impressively of all, the 24 year-old has been dribbled past just once so far this season.

CENTRE-BACK – ROBERT HUTH

Leicester City signed Robert Huth permanently this summer following his intrinsic role in the Foxes’ great escape at the end of last season, picking him up from Stoke City for a meagre £3million.

Claudio Ranieri’s side are hardly famed for their water-tight defending – in fact, Leicester currently own the fourth-worst goals conceded record in the Premier League after Chelsea, Sunderland and Newcastle.

Yet it’s impossible to ignore the correlation between the former German international’s presence and Leicester’s league form. Including his loan stint last term, the Midlands outfit have lost just twice from the 20 times in which Huth has played the full 90 minutes, winning eleven.

Even though his quality may not exceed the norm in the Premier League, clearly the 31 year-old’s experience and leadership is having a huge effect on the Leicester squad.

CENTRE-BACK – TOBY ALDERWEIRELD

Tottenham finished last season with the fifth-worst goals conceded record in the Premier League and the worst of any team outside the bottom seven.

This term, however, no side has conceded less than the Lilywhites’ seven and much of that has to do with summer signing Toby Alderweireld, who moved to White Hart Lane for £11.5million after an impressive loan spell with Southampton.

The 26 year-old’s effect has been subtle yet an incredibly important one, ever-present for Spurs this season and providing Jan Vertonghen with the dependable partner he’s craved since signing for the north Londoners in summer 2012.

The Belgium and former Ajax duo have provided a solid platform for the rest of the Spurs team to build from.

LEFT BACK – JOE GOMEZ

Joe Gomez’ form has tailed off somewhat in recent weeks after an incredibly impressive start but at an initial cost of just £3.5million Liverpool appear to have picked up a real gem in the former Charlton youngster.

Indeed, the 18 year-old performed well at left-back as Liverpool recorded three consecutive clean sheets at the start of the season and has since demonstrated his ability at centre-half in Europa League draws with Bordeaux and Sion.

Versatile, athletic and oozing class when in possession, the England U21 represents everything one could want in a modern day defender.

CENTRAL MIDFIELD – YOHAN CABAYE

Arguably the Premier League’s biggest coup of the summer, the £10million Crystal Palace paid for Yohan Cabaye has made the club’s distant pipedreams of European football an increasingly plausible reality.

The France international has become the touch of class at the heart of an incredibly well-organised, industrious and potent Palace side, bagging three goals and one assist in his first eight Premier League appearances for the South London outfit.

Clearly Alan Pardew knows how to get the best out of the former Newcastle midfielder because his defensive efforts have been equally exemplary – averaging 3.9 tackles and 3.8 interceptions per match. That ranks Cabaye 12th for tackles and 2nd for interceptions throughout the Premier League.

CENTRAL MIDFIELD – DELE ALLI

Dele Alli may only be seven games into his Spurs career after signing for the Lilywhites in January and spending the second half of the 2014/15 campaign on loan at former club MK Dons, but he’s already done enough to earn an inaugural cap for the England national team.

That’s lead to huge debate over Roy Hodgson’s selection policies yet there’s no question the 19 year-old has impressed this season, averaging 2.6 tackles and 2.7 interceptions per match whilst always looking for a forward pass.

The 6 foot 2 midfielder is still some way off the finished article but he’s shown tremendous maturity since making the jump from League One and at an initial cost of just £5million looks like an absolute steal.

RIGHT MIDFIELD – KEVIN DE BRUYNE

Manchester City may have broke their club record fee to sign £55million man Kevin De Bruyne but it’s already looking like a rather shrewd investment.

The Belgium international has bagged three goals and two assists in just three Premier League starts despite being continuously jostled around the attacking midfield berth by Manuel Pellegrini. He’s also averaged the seventh-most created chances per match, 3.3, of any player in the Premier League.

The 24 year-old still has some way to go before fully justifying his enormous price-tag but if early form is anything to go by, it will only be a matter of time.

LEFT MIDFIELD – ANDRE AYEW

Many Ligue 1 fans tipped former Marseille man Andre Ayew to be a huge success in the English top flight and so far he hasn’t disappointed, claiming four goals and one assist in eight appearances for Swansea City.

That saw the Ghana international claim the Premier League’s Player of the Month award for August and the dual role he plays as part wideman part support act to striker Bafetimbi Gomis has become a defining feature of the Swans’ attacking play this season.

Most impressively of all, the Welsh outfit picked up the 25 year-old on a free transfer – proving there’s still plenty of bargains to be had in the Premier League.

ATTACKING MIDFIELD – DIMITRI PAYET

No Premier League player, let alone new signings, has proved more potent at the tip of midfield this season than West Ham’s £11million summer arrival Dimitri Payet.

Another former Ligue 1 star who has taken the English top flight by storm, the stocky attacker has recorded four goals and three assists in eight outings this term, making him in some way responsible for 63% of West Ham’s Premier League goals.

The France international ranks second in the Premier League’s creation charts with 4.1 chances per match, only bettered by Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil, and that impressive form typifies how quickly the Hammers are evolving from the attritional Allardyce days.

STRIKER – ANTHONY MARTIAL

Perhaps we’re falling for the hype here at Football Fancast, perhaps we’re not.

Either way, Anthony Martial deserves enormous credit for the ease in which he’s adapted to life at Old Trafford despite the pressure of his £36million price-tag, the continuous comparisons with four-time Golden Boot winner Thierry Henry and all those ‘What a waste of money’ headlines that accompanied his arrival.

Whether the 19 year-old’s form can be sustained over an entire season remains to be seen. But he’s scored three league goals with just six shots on target thus far and in terms of power and pace seems well equipped for English football.

That £36million fee – potentially rising to £58million – may not have been such a stab in the dark after all.

Louis van Gaal hosts Sheffield United in Manchester United’s first FA Cup game of the season, with the Red Devils out of sorts in the league, despite their recent win over Swansea City. The Dutchman may see some of the intense amounts of pressure placed on him relieved somewhat, but a loss to the Blades would surely be an utter disaster.

United haven’t won this competition since a teenage Cristiano Ronaldo nodded home against Millwall back in 2004 on the way to a 3-0 win. For a team desperately looking to affirm themselves as a real power, perhaps a run in the cup would do them a world of good.

The Blades will have other ideas, however. Only two years ago did the Bramall Lane outfit enjoy a fine run to the semi-finals of this famous old competition, losing out to eventual finalists Hull City at Wembley.

Nigel Adkins and his side are in good form, having won three of their last four games and will be eager to add to van Gaal’s woes no doubt.

Today’s hosts have previous when it comes to being knocked out by Yorkshire rivals, having faced elimination at the hands of bitter rivals Leeds back in 2010.

Like that stat, have here are FIVE more to teach you all you NEED to know about Man United vs Sheffield Wednesday.

DAVID VS GOLIATH PART 1

Despite the infamous loss to Leeds previously mentioned, Manchester United have a pretty dominant record against lower league opposition in cup ties of this nature.

That game is the only blotch on their record against lower ranked teams, the only loss in 36 games against so called ‘smaller teams’ in the FA Cup.

DAVID VS GOLIATH PART 2

As dominant as United have been over these ties, Sheffield United are no mugs in this competition. They’ve carved out a reputation as giant killers somewhat after enjoying a fine record against teams ranked higher than themselves in recent times.

The Yorkshire club have won 5 of their last 6 ties against higher ranked teams, including beating Aston Villa and then Premier League Fulham on their rout to Wembley in 2014.

THEY HAVE A HISTORY

Sheffield United and Manchester United have a bit of history in the FA Cup, having made quite a regular date of it back in the mid-90s. Between 1993 and 1995, they met on three consecutive occasions.

The Blades won the first duel, while the Red Devils got revenge by condemning their foes to third round exits in the two meetings following that upset.

DULL BLADES AGAINST THE DEVILS

Despite their tendency to step up against the big boys, Man United have a rather dominant record against the Blades. In fact, today’s hosts have played their visitors on four previous occasions in the FA Cup, winning three times and only being knocked out once in this tie.

LAW OF THE LAND

Goals have been particularly hard to come by for Manchester United this season, much to the dismay of Louis van Gaal and the Old Trafford faithful.

However, strikers for the club have found it difficult to find truly starring roles in third round of this competition for a number of years. In fact, the last man to notch a hat-trick at this stage for the Red Devils was Denis Law back in 1963.

When Ronny Deila was hired at Celtic Park, many people quickly hopped on to Google to find out who this Norwegian was, somewhat disappointed that the club could not bring a bigger name to Glasgow. Given that Celtic’s usual rivals, Rangers, had been dropped down through the Scottish Leagues due to their liquidation, many thought this would be the ‘easiest job in football’.

However what has followed has been a punishing time for Celtic, with teams like Aberdeen constantly pushing the Bhoys to do better, with the supposed dominance and happy times not always coming. Although Deila won the league and League Cup in his first season, Celtic were not competing in the Champions League, and not looking convincing enough overall.

Celtic have the most money in the Scottish Premiership, but have not taken advantage of this wealth on a European scale. The level of football played in Scotland is often being downgraded as a similar to that of the English Championship, yet Celtic should be trying their hardest to put football north of the border back into the European consciousness.

Celtic have had some great European nights in the past, and indeed recently under Neil Lennon when he led them to that surprise win over Barcelona in November 2012. But since then Celtic have been confined to the Europa League, with Deila struggling two seasons in a row to get the team back in the Champions League, where the money is, and this year struggled to lead Celtic out of the group stage in the Europa League.

Though this is arguably the easiest job in Scotland, has Deila jumped in too deep, too early? Considering he has only had a couple of managerial jobs, the Celtic job was not one to take lightly. With the global appeal of this job, he was lucky to get it in the first place, considering he was relatively unknown. Taking over from Lennon, who was successful, was always going to be hard, but Deila has not proven himself at Celtic.

Although he did win the double in his first year, he ultimately failed by not securing a place in the Champions League. The standard of players coming in the door are very much Championship quality, looking a long way off the old days where talented stars like Henrik Larsson, Kenny Daglish and more wore the hooped shirt. Though players like Kris Commons, Kefi Ambrose, Mikael Lustig and Stefan Johansen are renowned players, they aren’t the kind that can help propel Celtic on the European front.

Deila is not necessarily a bad manager, however, he does not seem to have the bite of managers like Martin O’Neil, Lennon, Jock Stein or Gordon Strachan. What Celtic need is a man for a long-term period, but somebody experienced enough to bring results sooner rather than later. Somebody who can help push through the youth, but at the same time make Celtic a European power again.

Fans cannot ask for, or expect, miracles, but considering how much of a powerhouse Celtic have been, they can realistically ask for better. The team do not look like they can recreate that night against Barcelona, and this season the teams around them do not fear them anymore. Celtic need that wow factor again, and in order to get that, Deila needs to be replaced, by somebody who knows Celtic well and their values.

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If Leicester City’s emergence as title-contenders and current occupiers of the top-four has taken many by surprise, their likely appearance in next season’s Champions League will be almost unbelievable.

Even if they fail in their bid to win an unlikely first Premier League title, their reward for such a remarkable season will be entry into Europe’s premier club competition. They’ve shown they can cope with the demands of the English top flight and mix it with the ‘big boys’, but facing European sides is a whole other ball-game (well, strictly speaking it’s not, but you get my point).

Looking ahead to next campaign, how will the Foxes cope coming up against the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid or Juventus? Can they continue with the unbridled energy and enthusiasm they’ve shown in the Premier League this campaign, or will they prove to be a mere ‘one season wonder’ and ultimately get shown up against the more savvy European sides?

Initially, a lot will depend on whether they win the league or not. Starting this season, UEFA changed the criteria for the Group Stage seedings, meaning the champions of the top seven European nations, plus the current holders, automatically go into pot one of the draw.

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This would obviously be a big plus for the Foxes, meaning they would avoid many of the bigger sides across Europe. But with both Madrid clubs in the second pot this season, as well as the likes of Roma, Sevilla and Porto elsewhere, they would still face experienced European outfits.

Should they fail to win the league however, life in the Champions League would get that much harder as their non-existent European coefficient would see them in pot four and set to be drawn in the ubiquitous ‘group of death’. Having seen how Man City, a side with far greater resources, coped in their first couple of seasons in the competition, you naturally fear for the Foxes should they draw an unfavourable group.

In terms of players, a lot will depend on the incomings and outgoings over the summer. With key players like N’Golo Kante and Riyad Mahrez likely to be targeted by other clubs, should Leicester manage to hold onto them or not will go a long way as to maintaining enough quality in the squad to at least appear competitive in the Champions League.

The draw of European football is also likely to affect the type and quality of player the east Midland’s side can attract to the King Power Stadium. We saw the impact a player like Esteban Cambiasso had on the Foxes last season, and that was just in the league. With Champions League football on offer, similar quality players will be able to be brought in to compliment the players they already have at the club.

Managerially they have experience of European competition of course, Claudio Ranieri guiding Chelsea to a Champions League semi-final in 2004, as well as other, less successful showings with Inter Milan and Valencia. Mixed success with much more established sides yes, but the mere experience the 64 year-old has could prove vital in attempting to get out of a Champions League group.

You’d certainly be a brave man to bet on ‘little Leicester’ doing much in the Champions League next season, but then again no one saw their current Premier League campaign coming, so why not? Firstly, however, they must negotiate the remainder of the title run-in, their place in the top-four not guaranteed yet, but is extremely likely.

Given the quality of their play, plus the energy, spirit and drive they have displayed so far, they will do well not to at the very least finish in the top-four and make an unlikely appearance in Europe’s top competition. And then, who knows, what have they got to lose?

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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says he is confident that his side are ready for their Europa League semi-final clash with Spanish side Villarreal.

The Merseyside team will travel to El Madrigal on Thursday in the hope of reaching the club’s first final in a major European competition since 2007.

The Reds will make the trip to the La Liga side with a catalog of injuries, the most recent being to in-form forward Divock Origi, who was sidelined during the recent 4-0 thrashing of Everton in the Merseyside Derby.

Despite further injuries to midfielders Emre Can and Jordan Henderson, as well as Nathaniel Clyne falling sick, Klopp feels his squad are more than prepared:

“The whole season has been very intensive, but the players are not injured because they are tired. In a moment, it happens. Hendo was completely different to Emre. Divock was a senseless challenge.” he told LiverpoolFC.com.

“Momentum is not about having the best squad ready to play. Momentum is to be ready to fight.

“We need to be prepared. It isn’t about always having the best players but being perfectly prepared for our next game. Then we can go on.”

The former Borussia Dortmund manager has had his options slashed once more this week, following his hero of the last eight, Mamadou Sakho, failing a drugs test.

The France international had tested positive for a fat-burning substance, and has subsequently been removed from the Liverpool squad until the issue is resolved, despite there being no disciplinary actions opened from UEFA as of yet.

Klopp has shown no signs of worry, however, and appears to have full confidence in his side’s strength in depth.

“We have other players so we can say ‘come on, a few days more’. We have Martin, Dejan, Kolo, Lucas and Tiago Ilori so we have a few players who can play centre-half.”

Liverpool are now unbeaten in seven following their 2-2 draw with resurgent Newcastle this weekend.

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Welcome back to another edition of Fantasy Premier League Forecasting Good Fixtures, in which we look at which teams have a favourable run of games heading into tail end of the season.

It was an extremely hectic time for many Fantasy managers this past week, with a big chunk activating the second wildcard of the season in preparation for the Bench Boost in Gameweek 34.

However, after the results from Gameweek 33, we learned a few things… and one of them is that even with a single game, some players can outscore those even with an extra 90 minutes of action.

And this means that several are starting to re-evaluate their wildcard teams filled with players that have two games, with Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur assets set to be re-drafted into many teams following their continued good form.

But, there could be other players worth considering, so here we give you THREE TEAMS with favourable fixtures on the horizon.

Arsenal

They were the go-to team last week in our Forecasting Good Fixtures, and they are so once again with an extremely pleasing run of games remaining in the campaign.

The Gunners face Crystal Palace (Home), West Brom (Home), Sunderland (Away), and Norwich (Home) in their next four, with the first two games coming in a double gameweek.

Alexis Sanchez (10.9) is already set to be the favourite captain choice for the double, while Mesut Ozil (9.8) and any of their starting defenders will be in most teams. Alex Iwobi (4.6) is looking un-droppable at the moment, and is a brilliant enabler for managers to invest elsewhere.

Liverpool

Also mentioned in last week’s edition, Liverpool have undoubtedly the best set of games until the end of the campaign, with two double gameweeks and no blanks on the horizon.

Jurgen Klopp’s men start with a double against Bournemouth (Away) and Everton (Home), then clashes with Newcastle United (Home), Swansea (Away), and another double against Watford (Home) and Chelsea (Home) before playing West Brom (Away) on the final day.

It would take a brave man to go the remainder of the campaign without at least two Reds assets, but take into consideration that Klopp may rotate players if they progress past Borussia Dortmund to the Europa League semi-finals.

Tottenham Hotspur

Wait we should consider buying players without any doubles? From what we learned, yes. Toby Alderweireld’s 15-point return proved why a Tottenham defender will give you more than an Everton defender with two games.

And with the only team capable of catching Leicester City to the title, Mauricio Pochettino’s men will take every game as final, with Stoke City (Away), West Brom (Home), Chelsea (Away), Southampton (Home), and Newcastle United (Away) not the most daunting of schedules.

We can see the Lilywhites pushing the Foxes till the very end, with their star assets Alderweireld (6.5), Harry Kane (10.3), Dele Alli (6.2), Christian Eriksen (8.6), and even Erik Lamela (6.8) capable of garnering some significant points.

Liverpool’s pursuit of Mario Gotze doesn’t really seem like ending any time soon. Jurgen Klopp seems keen to continue his relationship with the player that he helped make his name at Borussia Dortmund and it might just be a match made in heaven, even though the playmaker himself has hinted that he may be staying at the Allianz Arena.

For all the hype around Klopp this season, an eighth placed league finish, a defeat in the Europa League final and rather inconsistent form has left many slightly underwhelmed. The impressive performances had Liverpool fans dreaming of next year being their year, but the second half display in the Europa final against Sevilla shows just how much needs to be done.

Investment is guaranteed this summer and Klopp must be tempted by Gotze. The midfielder has been out of favour for much of his time at Bayern Munich and perhaps a kick-start is just what he needs. Would a move to Anfield be perfect for everyone?

We give you FIVE reasons Gotze should move to Liverpool…

Football Friends

Everyone loves a story of reunification. Jurgen Klopp and Mario Gotze working together again would not only be a beautiful site for Liverpool fans, but it would surely be of overall benefit to Gotze’s career.

The success of the pair when together at Borussia Dortmund will give Klopp and Gotze plenty to reminisce about, too.

Liquid Football

Liverpool play a style of football that caters to players like Gotze. In a squad that includes Adam Adam Lallana, Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho, Gotze could even function as a false nine.

Whether they opt to play a natural striker or not, Gotze would surely be tempted by all the talent in the current Liverpool squad.

Spoilt for Choice

Bayern Munich’s attacking ranks might be the most healthy in world football. Gotze has never really become an integral part of the team and that will become yet harder with the arrival of Renato Sanches.

A move makes plenty of sense for Gotze, whilst Thomas Muller, Douglas Costa, Arjen Robben and others have blocked his path at Bayern, he would arrive at Liverpool as a star. Already a far more renowned player than any other attacking option at the club, he’d surely be first choice from the off.

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Fit right in

Klopp has changed his approach to the game slightly since taking over at Liverpool, but the fundamentals of his game are still there. The high pressing is still present, the swift transitions are still key and the team has a generally similar approach.

Gotze knows what Klopp expects and would not have the usual bedding in period upon his Liverpool arrival. The demands of the Premier League might be tough, but tactically he would slot in just fine.

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Worrying stagnation

Injuries and inconsistent selection have meant that Gotze has stagnated somewhat at Bayern. Pep Guardiola largely favoured other players in Gotze’s role and often used the German in different positions.

Having been a certainty to play from a central position whilst with Dortmund, Gotze has seen his role change. He needs to develop over the next couple of seasons and that will require a manager placing faith in him to play a specific role. Who better to do that than Jurgen Klopp…

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A thrilling 2015/16 campaign for Tottenham Hotspur may have ended in disappointment but there's no doubt the north London club are on the rise.

Mauricio Pochettino has forged a young, energetic and exciting team that only grew in statute and confidence with practically every game last season – and they're now about to undertake a new challenge of competing in the Champions League.

Admittedly, involvement in Europe's top competition could affect the Lilywhites' form domestically and with the move to a new stadium just around the corner, Pochettino may not be able to spend as lavishly as some of his Premier League counterparts this summer.

But the Premier League's official fixture list for 2016/17, released online just moments ago, should give a hint of whether the White Hart Lane outfit will be competing at the top end of the table once again next season.

With that in mind, we've taken a look at FIVE key fixtures that could decide Tottenham's 2016/17 campaign.

SPURS VS LIVERPOOL – August 27th

Should the Premier League return to more normal proceedings next season, it's more than likely Liverpool and Spurs will find themselves in a bar fight for fourth-to-sixth-place. The Reds are improving all the time under Klopp and haven't actually lost to the Londoners in their last seven meetings, so it's crucial Tottenham get a good result at home.

ARSENAL VS SPURS – November 5th

If Spurs are to ever break the curse of finishing behind Arsenal, they need to claim points against their local rivals at the Emirates – which will not only ensure bragging rights but could make the difference between a title bid and a top four push.

SPURS VS CHELSEA – January 2nd

Spurs' record against Chelsea is far from the best and that 2-2 draw at the end of last season has left the London rivalry with a really sour taste. Beating the Blues will undoubtedly have an impact at the top of the Premier League table next season and heel some wounds amongst the fan base. Th

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WEST HAM VS SPURS< – 6th May

Losing to West Ham cost Spurs dearly last season and Pochettino will be desperate not to make the same mistake again. Likewise, winning at the Olympic Stadium could well eliminate West Ham from top four contention.

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SPURS VS MANCHESTER UNITED – 13th May

This fixture has become a lot closer in recent years with two wins, two draws and two defeats apiece from Spurs and United's last six meetings. During that time, the two clubs have moved in opposite directions so a home win for the Lilywhites could continue to polarise their fortunes.

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