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Christmas is coming and Peter Crouch’s mailbox is full to the brim.
Sportsmail’s resident columnist is in excessive spirits however earlier than he talks presents, he appears at what’s in retailer for Dele Alli, discusses Everton’s renaissance underneath Carlo Ancelotti… and wonders what’s subsequent for Arsenal.
He additionally discusses whether or not Rangers star James Tavernier needs to be thought of for the England squad.
Sportsmail columnist Peter Crouch solutions your questions from Mesut Ozil to presents
Would Arsenal’s issues be solved in some half in the event that they discover a method for Mesut Ozil to return?
Chris W by way of electronic mail
No, Chris. I don’t suppose for one minute that bringing him again — irrespective of how a lot of a category participant he’s — will spark the change they want. I can perceive individuals asking why Mikel Arteta hasn’t tried it, however the supervisor has clearly made his thoughts up.
This difficulty isn’t sustainable. I performed for Tottenham, however I’ve large respect for Arsenal. The Arsenal I knew wouldn’t have put itself able the place a participant is ready to tweet after a recreation, hinting at division and undermining the supervisor, as Ozil has achieved.
Because it stands, Arsenal are heading in direction of a relegation battle and it reveals how badly issues have gone since Arsene Wenger left.
I do not suppose that bringing Mesut Ozil again into the facet will give Arsenal the spark they want
The Unai Emery experiment was a catastrophe and in the mean time you can’t see the place the subsequent three factors will come from.
I hear individuals say they may strengthen in January, however who’re they going to purchase? Extra to the purpose, who’s going to wish to come to the Emirates?
Sure, it was all roses in July after they received the FA Cup, however the momentum from that win over Chelsea has utterly gone.
It wants greater than Ozil to get it again.
What are your ideas on Everton proper now?
JoeEfc171 by way of Twitter
I’m very impressed with them, Joe. I mentioned in a column earlier within the season that Everton had been in protected palms with Carlo Ancelotti and, as he marks a 12 months within the job, he has proven why. The final three wins in opposition to Chelsea, Leicester and Arsenal are large.
What has impressed me most is how sensibly they’ve performed within the final three matches. They might have been harm by the accidents that common full backs Seamus Coleman and Lucas Digne sustained, however Ancelotti has hit on a system that makes them exhausting to beat.
Everton have developed nicely underneath Carlo Ancelotti and are going alongside the correct traces
Going into Christmas within the high 4 is excellent — I bear in mind worrying about relegation for them 12 months in the past — although I don’t see a title problem materialising within the second half of the marketing campaign. They’re nonetheless only a bit quick.
However there isn’t any doubt they’re going alongside the correct traces. I really like how Dominic Calvert-Lewin has developed and I hope he continues his good kind on Wednesday.
The Carabao Cup quarter-final is large and I think it’s the sport Ancelotti needs to win most over Christmas.
Do you suppose there’s a real rivalry between Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane or is it simply heat-of-the-moment stuff?
Liam Wraith by way of Twitter
There’s solely an issue, Liam, round one thing like this if a crew are shedding. Liverpool have received the whole lot over the previous two years and I might count on them to retain the Premier League, too, given the shape they’ve hit. However don’t child your self {that a} competitors isn’t happening between Salah and Mane.
Each ahead participant is egocentric and these two will wish to rating as many objectives as they probably can — Salah, specifically, appears obsessed along with his numbers proper now.
It does not matter if Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane get on so long as they carry out successfully
Salah got here right here as a winger however he has developed into one in all Europe’s most prolific forwards; a aim machine. He was in the correct place for his first at Crystal Palace and his second, to finish the 7-0 rout, was completely lovely.
Mane’s face, having been substituted, was an image. He was livid and rightly so, as a result of while you odor blood as a striker, the very last thing you need is to be taken off.
Are he and Salah the perfect of buddies? I doubt it. But it surely doesn’t matter. I had strike companions who I knew by no means appreciated me. It by no means prevented me getting on with my job.
What subsequent for Dele Alli after he was not noted of Tottenham’s 20-man squad in opposition to Leicester?
Phil Edwards by way of electronic mail
It’s time for him to go, Phil. I don’t prefer it after I see good gamers languishing on the sidelines and Alli has an excessive amount of capacity for it to not be utilised. I’m anxious about Harry Winks, too, and ponder whether he wants a contemporary begin.
When it comes to Dele, he has been linked with Paris Saint-Germain and Actual Madrid.
It is time for Dele Alli to depart Tottenham – he has an excessive amount of capacity for it to not be utilised
We’ll see whether or not both of these strikes involves fruition however I hope he has a contemporary begin to get his profession again on monitor as he wants a brand new membership.
If he doesn’t transfer quickly, his profession will stagnate as a result of I feel the very fact Jose Mourinho didn’t embody him on the bench yesterday informed you the whole lot it’s essential know. There is no such thing as a future for him in north London whereas Mourinho is in cost.
Are you, like me, becoming bored with Jose Mourinho’s foolish antics and unhealthy sportsmanship?
Barry Quelch by way of electronic mail
No, Barry. Removed from it. I like it, really. I didn’t prefer it when Mourinho was inhibited at Manchester United and it’s made me snort, lately, seeing him having a pop at individuals, beginning wind-ups and saying issues which can be aimed to shock.
He does this when he is aware of he has a correct crew. He wouldn’t become involved in a squabble with Jurgen Klopp if he thought Liverpool had been miles and miles forward.
Jose Mourinho solely engages in antics with opponents if he believes his crew can go to struggle
He’ll, although, become involved within the struggle if he believes his crew can go to struggle.
I felt Mourinho had a glint in his eye when he took the Spurs job 13 months in the past and it’s been apparent over the past couple of months. I perceive he isn’t everybody’s cup of tea however I’ve all the time loved the joust with him. I hope he continues like this.
What are your ideas on whether or not James Tavernier — who now has scored 13 objectives for Rangers — ought to get into Gareth Southgate’s squad?
Scott Andrews by way of electronic mail
That’s an excellent query, Scott. The very first thing to level out is that England have by no means been extra blessed than they’re proper now in that place. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Reece James and Kieran Trippier are established; Aaron Wan-Bissaka is there; Tariq Lamptey is rising.
I’m certain, although, that Gareth Southgate and his crew will keep in touch with Steven Gerrard, and his scouts can be watching.
James Tavernier has been spectacular for Rangers however there’s a whole lot of competitors for England
To attain as many objectives as Tavernier has achieved already is an excellent achievement and he’s clearly within the type of his life.
The job Stevie has achieved with Rangers is superb. I may need underestimated issues earlier within the season, particularly by way of Europe.
They’ve moved into the final 32 of the Europa League in spectacular trend and so they have given themselves an excellent likelihood to change into champions.
What’s your greatest ever Christmas current? And what would you like this 12 months?
Alice Kelly by way of electronic mail
Oh, Alice. You’ve opened up some reminiscences right here. In 1990, I wished the England tracksuit that the crew wore for the World Cup, the one made well-known by Paul Gascoigne. Santa had run out of these tracksuits by the point he acquired to Ealing, sadly.
As a substitute, my mum and pa acquired me a kind of outdated Chelsea substitute tracksuits. It was an all-in-one, with a zipper working from chest to foot so you possibly can take it off simply.
Perhaps that they had seen into the longer term and realised their son was destined to be an excellent sub.
I don’t really need something this 12 months and I hope you’re not considering I’m going to offer you inspiration for last-minute items.
One 12 months I purchased Abbey a three-metre charger, so she may sit on the sofa whereas boosting her cellphone quite than resting by the wall.
I assumed it was sensible, however let’s simply say she didn’t react as she would have achieved had it been a diamond ring!
On that observe, let me want you a really Merry Christmas. Let’s all keep protected and nicely over the festive interval.
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