Not too long ago the Bundesliga wasn’t considered as one of the top three leagues in Europe.

Those places were always reserved for the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A and that can be seen in the list of recent winners in the Champions League. Between Bayern Munich lifting the trophy in 2001 and then again in 2013 no German side lifted the trophy whereas England saw their clubs win it three times, Italy the same and Spanish sides took four victories in that period.

It was a barren spell before the Bundesliga’s watershed moment – the 2013 final. Bayern Munich would lift the trophy beating fellow German side Borussia Dortmund in the final, it was a moment for the German domestic game to rejoice and it has since gone on from strength to strength, dislodging Serie A from the top three.

Pep Guardiola was a large part of securing the league’s longer term appeal in building on the Bayern side and whilst not winning the Champions League in his time his old team are arguably in their best health in years. Guardiola got the German game instantly as he now hopes to do at Manchester City and he’ll no doubt try to attract some of the best players he saw week in week out to the club.

So here are FIVE we could be seeing in the Premier League in the near future…

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Sign him and City win the title – sounds simple enough doesn’t it? A forward line of Aubameyang and Sergio Aguero with players like Kenvi De Bruyne and David Silva providing the chances would be one to both fear and cherish.

They’d go very close to the Champions League too and that’s Guardiola’s ultimate aim – make City kings of Europe for the very first time.

Julian Weigl

Weigl is going to be a real star over the next decade and Dortmund will be desperate to keep hold of him because of that. He dictates the tempo of a match despite his young age and that makes him a player bound to be of interest to Guardiola.

It would take a massive bid to try and dislodge him but if there’s any side in the Premier League that can do it, it’s probably City.

Jonathan Tah

Jonathan Tah only turned 20 earlier this year but has already left an impression at both Hamburg and now at his latest club Bayer Leverkusen. The young German joined Leverkusen at the start of last season and managed to win a place in the side going on to make 29 appearances.

With City already signing John Stones bringing in Tah would allow for a defensive partnership to flourish in the years to come.

Ricardo Rodriguez

It feels like Rodriguez has been around for ages but he’s actually only 23. The Swiss international would be ideal for City whose left back area could do with some work.

Rodriguez is better than Gael Clichy and Aleksandar Kolarov in this position and with his great left foot he’d be well suited to when Guardiola asks his full-backs to tuck into central midfield.

Mitchell Weiser

Weiser can play as both a right midfielder and a right back and was part of the Hertha Berlin side that impressed so much last season. Much like City’s left side of defence, the right could also do with improving and Weiser might be the answer.

He’s a lot younger than Pablo Zabaleta and Bacary Sagna but Guardiola might feel that makes him easier to mould into his type of player – watch this space.

Everton fans will feel fairly confident going into tonight’s Premier League clash with Sunderland.

The Black Cats have taken just one point from their first three league fixtures of the season and are still searching for their first top flight win under new manager David Moyes.

But the Toffees need to take this fixture seriously, especially away from home.

Indeed, it’s actually Sunderland who boast the better record in terms of recent encounters, winning three and drawing two of their last six meetings with the Merseysiders.

Likewise, if there’s anybody who knows Everton’s inherent weaknesses, it’s Moyes – who reigned over Goodison Park for more than a decade before leaving for Manchester United.

Therefore, it’s imperative Everton gaffer Ronald Koeman gets his starting XI exactly right for tonight’s game.

And in case the Toffees boss is in need of some advice, we’ve come up with the Everton XI that WILL claim all three points at the Stadium of Light this evening.

GOALKEEPER – MAARTEN STEKELENBURG

Maarten Stekelenburg has enjoyed a solid start to his Everton career, yet to concede more than one goal in a game, and is a safe pair of hands between the sticks. Unquestionably, he’ll start tonight.

RIGHT-BACK – SEAMUS COLEMAN

Mason Holgate has earned rave reviews in the opening weeks of the season but after featuring for Ireland last Monday, the time is right to bring Seamus Coleman back into the starting XI. He’s one of the

He’s one of the best attacking full-backs in Europe, let alone the Premier League, when in top form.

CENTRE-BACK – PHIL JAGIELKA

Everton’s captain and most experienced centre-half, Phil Jagielka will be at the heart of defence once again tonight. One concern, however, is whether Sunderland’s Jermain Defoe will catch him for pace on the counter-attack.

One concern, however, is whether Sunderland’s Jermain Defoe will catch him for pace on the counter-attack.

CENTRE-BACK – ASHLEY WILLIAMS

Ashley Williams looked solid alongside Jagielka against Stoke City two weekends ago and is a good partner for the England man, offering relative speed and quality on the ball. He could be a better candidate for keeping Defoe in check.

He could be a better candidate for keeping Defoe in check.

LEFT-BACK – LEIGHTON BAINES

Last season was tough for Leighton Baines but the cultured full-back is enjoying a strong start to the current campaign, averaging 2.7 tackles and one created chance per match. He offers Everton rare quality of delivery on the overlap.

He offers Everton rare quality of delivery on the overlap.

DEFENSIVE MIDFIELD – IDRISSA GUEYE

Everton’s swoop for Idrissa Gueye initially raised some eyebrows but the stats speak for themselves – namely a whopping 5.7 tackles per match. The Senegal star’s speedy

The Senegal star’s speedy play breaking could be an integral asset for the Toffees in matches like tonight’s, when they’re expected to dominate away from home.

DEFENSIVE MIDFIELD – GARETH BARRY

Gareth Barry may be 35 years of age but he still offers Everton plenty in the middle of the park, specifically great experience, intelligence and guile. Fortunately,

Fortunately, Gueye’s got the energy to compensate for Barry’s ageing legs.

ATTACKING MIDFIELD – ROSS BARKLEY

Ross Barkley remains Everton’s intrinsic link to the final third and he’s certainly produced so far this season, claiming one goal and one assist in three Premier League outings. Sunderland

Sunderland look set to sit deep tonight, so his ability to shoot from long range could be what breaks the deadlock.

RIGHT WING – YANNICK BOLASIE

Yannick Bolasie still has some way to go before justifying his price-tag but the Congo winger brings a lot to Everton’s starting XI, particularly width and directness in the final third. He could run riot against Sunderland left-back Patrick van Aanholt, who isn’t the strongest defensively.

He could run riot against Sunderland left-back Patrick van Aanholt, who isn’t the strongest defensively.

LEFT WING – AROUNA KONE

Our wildcard suggestion for tonight’s game but with some logic behind it. Arouna Kone boasts three goals and one assist from two outings against Sunderland, including a hat-trick at Goodison Park last season. With Romelu Lukaku yet to find the net this term and the Black Cats seriously struggling for form, adding another goal threat on the flank could prove a shrewd move from Ronald Koeman.

With Romelu Lukaku yet to find the net this term and the Black Cats seriously struggling for form, adding another goal threat on the flank could prove a shrewd move from Ronald Koeman.

STRIKER – ROMELU LUKAKU

As aforementioned, Lukaku is still waiting for his first Premier League goal of the new campaign. But there’s no doubt the Belgium international is one of the most lethal strikers in the top flight and facing a ropy Sunderland side represents a fantastic chance to break his duck.

But there’s no doubt the Belgium international is one of the most lethal strikers in the top flight and facing a ropy Sunderland side represents a fantastic chance to break his duck.

This Saturday sees Scottish football’s most definitive derby, the Old Firm, return to the top flight.

Indeed, Rangers have spent the last four seasons in the wilderness of the lower tiers after going into liquidation, slowly but surely clawing their way back to the Scottish Premiership.

But with the rest of the competition in the top flight not exactly fierce, it could well be Rangers and Celtic battling it out for the title once again this season – adding even more intensity to Saturday’s 12pm kickoff at Celtic Park.

The atmosphere between two sets of fans whose rivalry spans politics, history and religion will be intense and electric. But we at Football FanCast have never been ones for aggro.

Rather, we’d prefer to consider what would happen if Celtic and Rangers joined forces. And thus, we’ve come up with a Combined XI, bringing the most talented stars from both clubs together.

How would this XI fare in the Old Firm Derby on Saturday?

GOALKEEPER – WES FODERINGHAM

Celtic may boast two more experienced alternatives in Craig Gordon and Dorus De Vries but it’s the youthful promise of Wes Foderingham that appeals to us at Football FanCast.

The 25-year-old consistently impressed at Swindon Town and helped Rangers claim the joint-healthiest goals conceded record in the Scottish second tier last season.

RIGHT-BACK – JAMES TAVERNIER

James Tavernier’s lethal finishing from set pieces, the predominant source of his staggering 15 goals from right-back last season, is a huge asset for this combined XI. Furthermore, he always finds the net against Hibernian – much to the delight of the Ibrox faithful.

CENTRE-BACK – KOLO TOURE

Kolo Toure may only be a few games into his Celtic career but copious experience sees the Ivory Coast icon instantly claim a place in our combined XI.

The 35-year-old’s CV boasts two Premier League titles, three FA Cups and countless appearances in the Champions League. That experience represents an excellent counterweight in an otherwise youthful backline.

CENTRE-BACK – DANNY WILSON

Rangers aren’t the strongest outfit defensively but Danny Wilson is a talent who stands out. The centre-back didn’t quite make the grade at Liverpool but still aged just 24, there’s plenty of time to reach his full potential. The aforementioned Kolo Toure could bring the best out of him for this combined XI.

LEFT-BACK – KIERAN TIERNEY

Kieran Tierney was linked with a Premier League move during the summer, which is no surprise considering the levels his form reached at times last season.

The 19-year-old left-back boasts a phenomenal left foot and having him on the opposite flank to James Tavernier is a mouthwatering prospect.

CENTRAL MIDFIELD – SCOTT BROWN

Any Old Firm Derby requires passion and grit and they don’t get much gritter or passionate than Celtic skipper Scott Brown.

Even at the age of 31, the former Scotland captain still offers great energy and aggression at the heart of the engine room – whilst his consistent contribution of around three league goals per season is another huge selling point.

CENTRAL MIDFIELD – JOEY BARTON

They may have partook in a war of words in the media but Joey Barton and Scott Brown would make a phenomenal midfield partnership for any derby – and especially the Old Firm. Barton’s a little more cultured on the ball than his Celtic counterpart but equally as feisty.

That being said, a red card never seems too far off for the former Manchester City and Newcastle United midfielder.

RIGHT WING – JAMES FORREST

No player will enter Saturday’s game in better form than James Forrest, having bagged three goals in three Scottish Premiership appearances so far this season.

A cunning winger of great industriousness and flair, he offers the Hoops real quality in the final third.

LEFT WING – SCOTT SINCLAIR

Scott Sinclair’s Celtic career has got off to a flyer, with four goals in six appearances across all competitions for Brendan Rodgers’ side.

And in a top flight not exactly known for it’s abundance of natural athleticism, the former Manchester City winger’s scintillating pace could make a real difference for this combined XI.

STRIKER – KENNY MILLER

Having represented both sides of the Old Firm divide throughout his career, Kenny Miller was always going to claim a place in our combined XI.

Furthermore, the 36-year-old has started the season in decent knick, grabbing goals against Dundee and Motherwell. He’s got the experience to bring the best out of a more youthful partner, which brings us onto…

STRIKER – LEIGH GRIFFITHS

Leigh Griffiths may be a controversial character off the pitch but it’s hard to dispute his talent on it.

Indeed, the 26-year-old boasts 74 goals in 115 appearances for Celtic and has begun the campaign brightly with two strikes in the top flight.

If there’s one concern, however, it’s that both he and Kenny Miller measure in at well under 6 foot.

Leicester City became well renowned all over the world last season after an unbelievable campaign that ended in the Premier League trophy coming back to the King Power Stadium.

Whilst few expect them to canter to the title again this term, their more than stuttering start has surprised a fair few Foxes supporters up and down the country.

They have picked up just eight points from their opening eight fixtures and things aren’t looking as rosy in the East Midlands as they did a few months ago.

But a tournament that has brought the Foxes a reasonable amount of success is the Champions League, which has provided some fantastic results so far this campaign.

Wins over Brugge and Porto have put somewhat of a gloss on this current season and we think the Foxes really need to focus on their European adventure going forward.

So with that in mind, here are FOUR reasons Leicester City’s season is all about the Champions League…

It’s wielded them much-needed success

Whilst it may seem slightly obvious, it’s pretty important to point out how the Champions League has been the only real source of success for the Foxes this season.

It’s the world’s biggest European competition and to be unbeaten going into the third game is a real achievement. Leicester should take great pride from that and try and take confidence from it going into their next European game.

It’s a unique experience

Based on their current form in the Premier League, it’s clear Leicester City probably won’t get into the Champions League again next season and might even have to settle for a top-ten finish.

In that respect, they really need to make the most of this fantastic opportunity and take it for what it is. We’re not completely ruling Leicester out of qualifying again in the next five years or so, but unfortunately, the chances are slim.

For some of these players and supporters, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

They’re beating European heavyweights

Say what you like, convincing wins over Brugge and Porto are huge successes in Leicester City’s history.

They’re European heavyweights in their respective countries and to beat both pretty comprehensively is impressive stuff.

They should take heart in those wins, especially with things not going so swimmingly in the Premier League.

They’ve got every chance of winning it

Call us silly, call us unrealistic, but once Leicester City inevitably progress through the group stages, they have just as much chance of winning it as anyone else.

We’ve seen it in tournaments all over the world – once you’re in knockouts, it’s a different game entirely.

Leicester City, over 90 minutes, are a match for anyone – and there won’t be many teams keen on facing them in the next rounds of the competition.

“If Romelu was to play at Everton until the end of his career I know he has left something behind.”

Ronald Koeman rather rocked Everton’s fanbase a few days ago with this quite frankly astonishing utterance, in which he openly advised his star player, Romelu Lukaku, to move away from Goodison Park in search of bigger and better things.

This got us at Football FanCast Towers thinking… are there other players at other clubs in a similar position to the giant Belgian? An interesting study on this front is West Ham, who have slipped down the table this season after seemingly bashing their head on the ceiling of what is possible in east London last term when they mounted a top four challenge.

Here are THREE players who may well need to leave the Irons to progress…

Dimitri Payet

Rarely are players simultaneously on the 30-man Ballon d’Or shortlist and embroiled in a relegation fight, but Payet finds himself in just that situation. The Frenchman had a stellar 2015/16 and EURO 2016 with France, and has even managed to shine in an under-performing Hammers side thus far this term.

By the end of the season the playmaker will be 30, and he will surely find it hard to spend another campaign battling in midtable. Although his age may count against him, it’s likely that a team such as Paris Saint-Germain will be eager to lure him back to his homeland.

Aaron Cresswell

In line for his England debut over the coming days, the left-back has become one of the standout players in his position in the Premier League. Defensively responsible and a willing attacking threat, Cresswell is surely being looked at by the division’s elite, and, although it’s pure speculation, he appears to be the perfect solution to Liverpool’s problems at no.3.

Cheikhou Kouyate

Athletic, imposing and technically adept, Kouyate has the makings of a great central midfielder. The Senegalese star, who has been capped 24 times by his nation, has been a bit hot and cold in the claret and blue shirt, but in a better side surrounded by better players his level could be dragged up, while the removal of the need to be a key player may alleviate some pressure from his shoulders.

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As reported by The Mirror, Jose Fonte has turned down a contract offer from Southampton with Jose Mourinho and Ronald Koeman both interested in securing his services this January.

What’s the word?

Jose Fonte is an eight-year veteran at Southampton and has been with the club since their days in League One, but his relationship with the club could soon be coming to an end after contract talks broke down.

The Mirror report that the Saints were willing to raise his wage to £80k-per-week salary but would not guarantee his contract past the end of next season – the date at which his current contract expires.

They also reckon Fonte, 33, is unhappy with his club after they failed to notify him of a £9m bid from Everton in the summer, a move that would have seen him reunited with former boss Koeman.

According to the report both Everton and Manchester United are still interested in his services and he looks set to leave St Mary’s this January.

Club veteran

The Southampton captain has made close to 300 appearances for the Saints over the years, and has been instrumental in their rise to become one of the Premier League’s most consistent clubs.

His departure would leave a big gap at the back at St Mary’s, which is a real worry with the future of Virgil van Dijk also in doubt.

His incredible rise was highlighted this summer when he played every knockout game, including the final, at Euro 2016 as his Portugal side won the trophy for the first time.

A player with vast experience he’d likely improve both Everton’s and Man United’s backlines, at least in the short term.

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Olivier Giroud has had his fair share of critics during his time in English football but it’s fair to say he’s fought back this season, leading Arsenal valiantly in the last few matches having found his scoring boots.This season he’s been a bit-part member of the squad, with Alexis Sanchez leading the line, but Giroud has battled back into the first-team in a case of deja vu, as he claimed his spot back from Theo Walcott last season in similar circumstances.[ad_pod id=’now-tv’ align=’centre’]With nine goals in all competitions, Olivier Giroud has excelled and has scored some very important goals for the Gunners. Now, the stats have revealed he is the finest striker in England’s top-flight at this time.

Involved in a goal every sixty minutes on average, Olivier Giroud is a crucial player for Arsenal and his fine minutes to goal ratio sees him joined by Lucas Perez (67) and Alexis Sanchez (88).

With that, Arsenal have a wealth of reliable players and it’s a good omen for the Gunners in the months ahead.

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Everton’s season has brought mixed emotions at Goodison Park.

Ronald Koeman enjoyed the joint-best start of any manager in Toffees history but after September, the club went on a three-month run that witnessed just one Premier League victory. However, the fortunes of the team seem to have changed in recent weeks.

As we approach the new year, the Toffees are mounting a charge towards European football qualification as they look to bring it back to the blue side of Mersey for the first time in three seasons.

Following their Premier League clash with Hull City yesterday evening, we’ve now reached the 19-match halfway mark of Everton’s top-flight campaign.

The topsy-turvy season has seen Everton produce some incredible strikes, so it’s time to consider the Goodison outfit’s best goal of the campaign thus far.

We’ve whittled it down to a shortlist of five contenders – let us know which one gets your vote in the comments section below!

5. Ashley Williams – Arsenal

It’s not the most attractive goal Everton have scored this campaign but its importance cannot be overstated.

Everton had won just once since September before Williams netted against Arsenal with just moments remaining.

The Toffees held out for the victory and guaranteed three points finally came their way, whilst condemning Arsenal to a first league defeat since the opening day of the season.

4. Romelu Lukaku – Sunderland

Romelu Lukaku hadn’t scored all season when the Toffees visited the Stadium of Light to take on Sunderland back in September.

The Belgian fired an eleven-minute hat-trick to give the Toffees a convincing victory. Most notably, his third goal was a brilliant team goal that saw the Merseysiders slice through the fragile Sunderland defence.

3. Yannick Bolasie – Burnley

Many eyebrows were raised when Everton forked out £25million to sign Yannick Bolasie in the summer, but the winger’s impact was fantastic before his injury.

The former Crystal Palace star scored his first Toffees goal away at Burnley, when he capped off a remarkable counter-attack against the newly promoted side.

A knee injury looks set to rule Bolasise out for the remainder of the season, however.

2. Romelu Lukaku – Manchester City

When Everton visited the Etihad Stadium in October, not many gave the Toffees a chance of coming away with a result.

Shortly after the hour mark, however, Romelu Lukaku decided to silence the doubters by scoring one of the best individual goals this season.

The forward picked the ball up on the halfway line and ran at the City defence before firing the Merseysiders into a surprising lead.

1. Seamus Coleman – Middlesbrough

Nothing excites football fans more than seeing a player run at the heart of the opposition defence.

Against ‘Boro in September, Seamus Coleman combined with his team-mates to carve open the newly promoted side’s backline.

The jinking run accumulated with him firing Everton into a half-time lead with an absolute rocket into the bottom corner.

Manchester United and Liverpool come toe-to-toe on Sunday in a huge Premier League clash in the battle for a top-four finish, in what should be a thrilling encounter at Old Trafford.

Liverpool currently have the advantage in the Premier League standing’s but a victory for the Red Devils this weekend would cut the gap to just two points, whilst potentially lifting United into the top-four if other results go their way.

Speaking to BBC Sport ahead of the clash, Pogba stated it was the most important derby of the season- ahead of the all-Manchester clash against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.

“The history of Liverpool vs. Manchester United — it’s a big derby. More than Man City, I think, because of the way you feel that the atmosphere is more.”

“I want to win. I want three points. It’s good to win three points against Stoke City, any team in the league, but it’s even better, you have more taste, when you win three points against Liverpool because it’s the derby, you know.”

With Pogba finding form in recent matches, and United enjoying a six-match winning run, the hosts for this weekend’s clash are rated as the favourites, although Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool could present a tough test.

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Manchester United have been given a big boost in their quest to land Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid after the player’s image advisor backed the tansfer, as reported by Goal.

What’s the word?

Antoine Griezmann’s name has been linked to Manchester United for the past few months and it seems that Jose Mourinho’s side are desperate to bring the French international to Old Trafford, where he would unite with close friend Paul Pogba.

The 25-year-old would cost United a huge financial package, which Atletico Madrid would find difficult to turn down, and Griezmann’s international image advisor told So Foot that a move makes sense to all parties involved.

Atletico’s number 7 would likely want the same number at Old Trafford, which is currently vacant following Memphis Depay’s departure in January, and the trump card could be held in the form of David Beckham.

What was said?

Speaking to So Foot magazine and quoted by Goal, Griezmann’s advisor Sebastien Bellencontre said:

“When I read articles about a hypothetical transfer to Manchester United I think it would be the ideal commercial scenario. He would play at Beckham’s former club, which is his idol, with the same legendary number on his back.”

“Beyond sports, Paris Saint-Germain would be interesting at Franco-French level, but he already has international trajectory with the selection.”

Will he move?

All the cards seem to be falling kindly for Manchester United in their pursuit of Antoine Griezmann and the availability of the number seven jersey could provide them with a huge boost, as the French international has made no secret that David Beckham was his idol growing up.

With the financial package that Manchester United can offer the French international, as well as all the corporate deals and sponsorships that would come his way, Griezmann’s move would make sense- although the potential lack of Champions League football could be a problem.

In the Spanish capital though, Griezmann may be seen as having done all he could with Diego Simeone’s side; having reached two Champions League finals with Atleti, enduring defeat in both matches against Real Madrid.

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