Arsenal will look to build upon their 2-0 win against AC Milan at the San Siro on Thursday night when they host Watford in the Premier League at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, and Gunners fans are all telling manager Arsene Wenger to make the same change to his XI against the Hornets.
The north London outfit had suffered four successive defeats in all competitions heading into their Europa League last 16 tie against the Serie A giants, but goals from Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Aaron Ramsey gave them a big first leg advantage.
Danny Welbeck, who did receive praise from the fans for his display at the San Siro, started up top with Alexandre Lacazette injured and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang cup-tied, but the Emirates Stadium faithful want the latter to return to the line-up against Javi Gracia’s men as they look to pick up just their second victory in their last six top flight fixtures.
Arsenal supporters have been quick to have their say on who Wenger should play up top via social media, and while one said “put Auba up front instead of Welbeck”, another said “just Auba up top for Welbeck”.
After their impressive league standing last year, it would be wrong to speculate Roberto Martinez’ job could be under threat at Everton.But the Toffees have endured a horrendous start to the new Premier League season, as they currently lay just two points above the relegation zone with the worst goals conceded column in the division.Clearly, something has to change and some additions to the squad in January certainly wouldn’t go amiss – like always, squad depth is already proving to be a problem for the Goodison outfit this season.With that in mind, here’s a list of FIVE signings, all realistic and available to Everton in January, that could turn their fortunes around.
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FABIAN DELPH
According to the tabloids, Everton are eying a January deal for Aston Villa midfielder Fabian Delph:
The Toffees are already blessed with quality and mettle in the middle of the park, through the likes of Ross Barkley, Leon Osman, Gareth Barry, James McCarthy and Mo Besic, but keeping them all fit has been a real problem this season and another body could do Everton’s squad depth a world of good.
Meanwhile, the 24 year-old’s stock has soured over the last twelve months. Last term, he bagged the Supporters’ Player of the Year award at Villa Park and he impressed on his England debut in August, featuring in a 2-0 win over Switzerland.
Delph’s a real box-to-boxer, with an endless engine and the ability to contribute at both ends of the pitch, perhaps epitomised best by this stunning goal against Chelsea last season:
Most appealingly, the England international’s Villians contract is up at the end of the season and appears to be holding out on a new deal. Paul Lambert is so concerned he’s flying to the US to discuss his budget with Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner.
That could force the Birmingham outfit to sell in January, but as revealed above, Everton face competition from Arsenal for his signature.
Potential transfer fee:£8million-£12million
MOUSSA DEMBELE
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Another Premier League midfielder linked with a Goodison switch in recent weeks is Tottenham’s Moussa Dembele:
The Belgium international’s bounced back to first team status in recent weeks after spending much of last season of the peripheries of the squad.
But he’s never quite replicated the form that earned him a £15million move from Fulham to White Hart Lane in summer 2012. Here’s a look at Dembele in action for the Cottagers:
And with Spurs already privy to a number of like-minded industrious centre-mids, such as Paulinho, Benjamin Stambouli and Etienne Capoue, whilst Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlin also remains on their radar, the Lilywhites could be convinced into selling when the transfer window reopens.
A phenomenal athlete with good technical quality and an eye for goal, the 27 year-old is certainly a natural suitor to Roberto Martinez’ progressive philosophy. And a reversion back to the more advanced role he adopted for Fulham could see Dembele return to his former best.
Whether Daniel Levy is willing to do business with a direct divisional rival midway through the season however, remains to be seen.
Potential transfer fee:£8million-£10million
CHRISTOPHER SAMBA
Everton desperately need some added cover at centre-back. John Stones has been ruled out until 2015 with an ankle injury, whilst there appears to be a rift developing between Sylvain Distin and Roberto Martinez, following the Goodison gaffer’s decision to leave the Frenchman out of his match day squad for the Merseyside derby.
How about Congo international Chris Samba? His short stay at QPR in 2013 was rather disappointing as the West London side plummeted into the Championship, but he was once regarded as one of the better centre-halves in the Premier League amid a 161-game tenure with Blackburn Rovers.
Samba measures in at 6 foot 4, offering a beastly presence, experience in the top flight and a decent contribution to the goal tally – his strike-rate was one-in-ten at Ewood Park. Here’s a look at Samba in action:
There are certainly less risky options on Everton’s radar, such as Stoke City centre-back Ryan Shawcross.
But the 30 year-old’s contract at Dynamo Moscow has reportedly entered its final year according to Transfermarkt.com, suggesting the Russian side can be convinced to sell in January.
At the same time, Samba staged a half-time walk-out after being subject to racial abuse against Torpedo Moscow back in September, and already constituting the second incident of this kind since moving to Russia in 2012, it’s likely he’ll be keen on a return to England too. His family are still based here.
Potential transfer fee:£6million-£8million (but wages could be an issue).
FABIAN SCHAR
A more youthful centre-back option for Everton to consider is FC Basel’s Fabian Schar, often linked with north London duo Arsenal and Spurs:
Statistically, the 22 year-old was the best defender in the Champions League last season, as viewable below:
And the Swiss international’s World Cup performances weren’t too bad either, making eight interceptions during two outings at Brazil 2014.
A front-footed, goalscoring defender, who once netted this incredible strike during his FC Wil days:
Schar would fit Roberto Martinez’ progressive philosophy perfectly. Here’s another look at him in action:
Like many of the names of his list, his contract is set to expire at the end of the season and a new deal looks unlikely with a plethora of European clubs circling.
There’s still time for Everton to weigh in, but recent speculation suggests Inter Milan are currently leading the race for his signature:
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Potential transfer fee:£6million-£10million.
ANDRE AYEW
Andre Ayew looks set to become one of the best value-for-money deals of the January window and Everton would be wise to get in on the act.
The Ghana international has emerged as one of the French top flight’s leading widemen over the last few years, racking up 51 goals and 18 assists in 171 appearances for L’OM. That includes this ‘rabona’ finish against Reins earlier this month:
He also enjoyed strong form at the World Cup, as detailed below:
The 24 year-old isn’t the most conventional wide man but he’s strong defensively, notoriously versatile and as shown in the video below, is outrageously good at heading for a 5 foot 9 winger:
Capable of adopting virtually any role in midfield or attack, Ayew would add quality and depth to Everton’s squad, and with his contract set to expire at the end of the season, will be available for a pittance in January.
But there appears to be a plethora of competition for his signature:
And his virtually-guaranteed absence whilst the 2015 African Cup of Nations takes place from January to February remains an issue.
Fulham and Sunderland are monitoring the situation of Rayo Vallecano star Leo Baptistao, according to reports from talkSPORT.
The Brazilian has been given the responsibility of replacing Swansea midfielder Michu at the Spanish club and has, so far, been impressive.
His six league goals already this season have seen him talked about as one of the rising stars in La Liga and are believed to have attracted the attention of Atletico Madrid as well as the Premier League duo.
The 20-year-old is under contract until 2015, but there is believed to be a clause in the deal that would allow him to leave for as little as £6.5m. However, Rayo may accept less than this due to financial difficulties.
Atletico are convinced that they can lure the South American away from the club, but Fulham and Sunderland are thought to be watching developments closely.
Both could make moves next month in a bid to aid their respective domestic campaigns.
Baptistao joined Rayo at just 16-years-of-age from Portuguesa Santista is his homeland.
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After impressing in the club’s ‘B’ team, he found himself promoted to the senior squad, following Michu’s move during the summer.
Due to operating in a similar role, Baptistao has been likened to the Spaniard who has made a stunning start to life in English football.
Marouane Fellaini has never been the most popular player at Manchester United since his rushed signing by David Moyes in 2013 and his dwindling contract situation has not done anything for his status among the club’s fans.
The former Everton man is unlikely to be anything more than a Plan B or cover option at Old Trafford under Jose Mourinho but the way that he has refused to commit his future to a club that many of its fans feel he shouldn’t even be at has not gone down well.
Yet, as June draws to a close, the Belgian international, who is currently at the World Cup and could line up against England on Thursday night, has said that his future will be resolved by the end of the week.
The expectation is that Fellaini will leave Manchester on a free transfer but with no clear idea on where he might head, Football FanCast have taken a closer look at some of his potential options…
Arsenal
At the start of June, reports emerged that Arsenal were interested in a surprise swoop for Fellaini, which would be a major departure from the profile of players that Arsene Wenger used to bring to the club.
Unai Emery may feel that the Belgian, who is valued at £10.8m by Transfermarkt, could do a job on a free transfer, adding another dimension and some steel to a side that has lacked it for so long.
However, Fellaini has often looked like a fish out of water at United and it could be similar at Arsenal, where he may struggle to keep up with the pace of the diminutive playmakers all around him.
Paris Saint Germain
Emery’s former club PSG have also been linked with a move for Fellaini, although with new manager Thomas Tuchel known to prefer the rapid football favoured by Borussia Dortmund, it is difficult to see the Belgian fitting in well.
The French giants want to play attractive football, attract the world’s elite talent and win the Champions League and it is difficult to see how Fellaini would help them do any of those things.
Fellaini could only be brought in as a Plan B, but PSG seldom need that in Ligue 1 and he is too rudimentary to properly trouble Champions League defences.
Stay in the Premier League
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Usually, signing a player from Manchester United would excite fans of most sides in the Premier League but the fact is that signing Fellaini would be a sign of limited intent to play attractive football.
That is not the plan for many of the clubs outside the top six as they want to inspire their fans and convince them that they will play in an attacking style.
The one possible exception is Newcastle, where Rafa Benitez has built an organised side and it is unlikely that he will have any great concerns about improving the playing style next time around.
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Mike Ashley is notoriously reluctant to spend money so the prospect of picking Fellaini up on a free might appeal – this move makes the most sense if the Belgian wants to stay in England.
Move to China
If Fellaini is unable to find a suitable club in England, he may well be tempted to take on a lucrative move to China like some of his Belgian international team-mates.
Axel Witsel and Yannick Carrasco already ply their trade there and Mousa Dembele is reportedly close to a move there as well, which could sway his thinking.
Roberto Martinez has shown with the above examples that playing in China is no barrier to international selection, so it could be an interesting option.
Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs have stepped up yet another level this season, challenging the elites of Europe, but they still have plenty of room to improve this summer.
Spurs are currently 20 points shy of Manchester City, but given that no one has managed to even compete with City this season, judging them in relation to Pep Guardiola’s magnificent side is quite simply unfair.
The fact of the matter is Spurs are improving. After showing signs of domestic success in the last few seasons, the next step was to challenge Europe’s best in the Champions League, and despite getting a tough draw in the round of 16 they could yet find themselves in the quarter finals.
Pochettino has done a great job improving the depth in the attacking positions, and there are now five quality players competing for just three positions with Lucas Moura, Erik Lamela, Heung-min Son, Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli all in great form. Still, there is work to be done if Spurs are to truly compete with the best of the best, and here’s three places they could start.
Upgrade the full backs
Losing Kyle Walker was a massive blow for Spurs, especially given how essential full backs are in Pochettino’s gameplan. Ben Davies has excelled on the left side this season, but there are still some unconvinced by the Welshman’s potential. It’s still anyone’s guess if Danny Rose will be in North London next season.
On the right side, Serge Aurier has been a disappointment since his summer move, losing composure and making rash challenges far too often. Kieran Trippier delivers some fantastic crosses, but on other days looks like he’s completely forgotten how to play football. Pochettino should follow Pep Guardiola’s example and seek two top-class full backs to use Trippier and Davies as the second choice options.
Find the player Vincent Janssen was supposed to be
Vincent Janssen was a massive disappointment after his £17million move to Spurs in 2016. Still, the idea was right – bring in a young and hungry striker to compete with Harry Kane. Kane is world class, but he simply cannot play every game every season. Fernando Llorente is a decent stopgap option, but the 33 year-old is not what Spurs need long term.
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Janssen is still technically a Spurs player, on loan at Fenerbahçe, but it seems unlikely he can fill this role given how much of a disaster his start at Spurs was. Pochettino shouldn’t just sign a striker that is happy to be second choice to Kane; he should be seeking a striker that wants to compete with Kane.
Offer Toby Alderweireld whatever he wants
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Spurs have some excellent young talent, and there may be some who think offering a 29 year-old a massive contract could disrupt the chemistry at the club. However, world class centre backs are a rare commodity, and a player like Alderweireld would cost a fortune if he were brought in now from somewhere else – just ask Jürgen Klopp. Spurs cannot afford to lose the Belgian, especially to one of their rivals. The club must do whatever it takes to keep the 68-cap Belgian, or they risk losing everything they’ve worked so hard for.
For many years, Scottish football has been considered to be one of the least competitive leagues in the world. But it has the potential to become extremely popular.
Financially, football in the country is not at its best. However, this is the perfect excuse to produce young Scottish players that can prove their doubters wrong. The most successful Scottish club is Celtic, now managed by Ronny Deila.
Each and every year, Celtic clinch the title with relative comfort. The Glasgow club have now won the Scottish title on 45 occasions, winning it in three consecutive seasons from 2012-2014 after the notable absence of Glasgow Rangers from the top tier of Scottish football. Despite struggling at the start of this season, collecting seven points from four games and occupying a relatively low 5th spot in the division, it is certain that the Hoops will be lifting their fourth consecutive league title.
Aswell as league commitments, Celtic will again have to contend with European matches. Failing to qualify for the Champions League after a 2-1 aggregate defeat at the hands of NK Maribor from Slovenia, Celtic are now in the Europa League group stages where they face Red Bull Salzburg, Dinamo Zagreb and FC Astra. With the Celtic Park outfit firm favourites for the Scottish Championship, they should now concentrate on getting as far as possible in a European environment in order to put Scottish football back on the map.
Fulham had a remarkable Europa League back in 2010, reaching the final, and beating teams such as Shakhtar Donetsk, Juventus, Wolfsburg and Hamburg along the way. If the Cottagers can do it, then why can’t a club like Celtic, a club with huge tradition and stature, do the same?
In the past, Celtic have qualified for the Champions League and caused a threat to top opposition, including grinding out stunning victories against the likes of FC Barcelona and Manchester United. When Celtic Park is at its full capacity, which it often is, the phrase ‘the crowd is the 12th man’ is an understatement, as the atmosphere for a European fixture is astonishing and frightens the opposition.
For the rest of the world to see this would prove that Scottish football is a hidden gem, and has huge potential to continue growing. Money is an issue, with the likes of Rangers who have both performed in European competitions in the past, being demoted to the third division because of tax debts, while Hearts also entered administration, which resulting them in plying their trade in the second tier of Scottish football.
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Nevertheless, Celtic will get the title sown up within no time at all, and the main target should be to focus more the Europa League, which the players will gain much needed experience from for the future.
Brendan Rodgers’ worst nightmare is currently being played out. Luis Suarez is attracting the attention of the big clubs. The Premier League champions in fact. Moneybags City with a wad of cash so thick they could use it to beat whales to death. So now ‘Operation keep Suarez’ is flowing faster than the Mersey River with Rodgers unequivocally denying that his Uruguayan star will be departing Anfield for more lucrative pastures in the January transfer window. How the Reds would cope if they lost him doesn’t even bear thinking about. For so long Steven Gerrard was considered the beating heart of the club but now that mantle belongs to Suarez. Without his driving force in attack or the eight league goals he’s scored they would be floundering at the foot of the table. For Rodgers, John W. Henry and the rest of the Anfield hierarchy their actions in the transfer market will speak louder than words and could be the key to ensuring Suarez remains a red.
This week on FFC will the Reds live to regret putting so much responsibility on Raheem Sterling’s shoulders and which Anzhi ace could be heading for Anfield?
[divider]
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What impact would this deal have on both Liverpool and Manchester City?
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Best of WEB
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Should Our ‘New Steven Gerrard’ Be Used As A Make-Shift Striker? – Live 4 Liverpool
‘It was my decision!’ – Ex-LFC attacker reveals reason he left Anfield. Loss…? – Liverpool Kop
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‘Make us an offer…please!’ – Is this the year’s most exciting transfer news? – Liverpool Kop
How Do We Compare To Our Rivals? – The Tomkins Times
Are the kids sounding the death knell of these senior players? – Live 4 Liverpool
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Rodgers’ Review: An in-depth analysis of our season so far – This is Anfield
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Quote of the Week
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“He is not for sale. There will be no bidding war. He’s staying here. I don’t have that fear (his head will be turned) with Luis. He has already shown in the summer his commitment to the club, he’s signed a new deal. I think you’ve seen up until this point he’s in a great moment in his footballing life here at Liverpool; he is scoring goals and working well and he’s very happy here. He’s certainly not someone we want to sell or move on. If we lost Luis then we’ve got no strikers. Luis Suarez won’t be leaving Liverpool to join Man City according to Brendan Rodgers
During an underwhelming evening in Russia, in a game no team particularly wanted to win, a disjointed performance saw England miss out on qualifying from World Cup Group G in pole position.
That honour instead goes to Belgium, which Roberto Martinez will no doubt accept begrudgingly based on his pre-match comments, after Gareth Southgate made wholesale changes to the starting XI that so easily dispensed of Panama last time out.
Neither side showed much quality until former Manchester United youngster Adnan Januzaj creamed a beautiful curler beyond the reach of Jordan Pickford on the 51st minute.
England attempted to respond during one of the rare instances in which the second-choice forward line of Jamie Vardy and Marcus Rashford managed to combine – the former playing in the latter, only for the Red Devils youngster to have his one-on-one saved by Thibaut Courtois.
Some stand-ins did impress, however. Liverpool teenager Trent Alexander-Arnold gave a good account of himself at right wing-back, creating two scoring chances before a 79th minute substitution, and Tottenham’s Danny Rose remained busy on the opposite flank. Chelsea youngster Ruben Loftus-Cheek, meanwhile, continued to show glimpses of his enormous potential.
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Late on, substitute Danny Welbeck attempted to stab home a loose ball from a corner, only for Marouane Fellaini to stretch out one of his impassable legs and divert the effort safely behind. Dries Mertens almost extended Belgium’s lead soon after but unlike Januzaj’s effort, Pickford just about managed to get a glove to it.
[brid playlist=”4766″ player=”12034″ title=”World Cup 2018″]
All in all though, it was a night that really took the sting out of England’s thrilling start to the World Cup, and the Three Lions now face the daunting challenge of Colombia in the first knockout round on Tuesday.
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So, England fans, who was your Man of the Match from the 1-0 defeat? Let us know by taking part below and giving each player an individual performance rating out of ten…
There was understandably more than a few raised eyebrows when West Ham United decided to sign Marko Arnautovic in a club-record deal from Stoke City during the summer transfer window.
The Austria international’s attitude had often come under scrutiny during his time at the Britannia Stadium, while his record of 22 goals in 125 Premier League matches for the Potters and the fact he was due to turn 29 years of age in April didn’t exactly class him as a really positive addition on paper.
Those worries would have been realised when the east London outfit made a disappointing start to the season under former manager Slaven Bilic, and the attacker was sent off for elbowing Southampton defender Jack Stephens just 33 minutes into his second top flight appearance for the Irons.
The 28-year-old was suspended for their following three fixtures in all competitions, and the board would have been fearing the worst about a player they had spent £20m on just a month earlier, with a potential further £5m to follow in add-ons.
Arnautovic failed to score a single goal or provide a single assist before Bilic was sacked following the 4-1 defeat against Liverpool at the London Stadium on November 4, or in any of his first four Premier League appearances under current boss David Moyes.
West Ham’s transfer strategy – which has often been unclear – has come under fire ever since David Gold and David Sullivan became co-owners of the club, and they have often invested in older players with no re-sale value, players like Andy Carroll who have spent much of their time with the club on the sidelines because of injury, and players with no Premier League experience that have proven to be flops.
They have also been involved in embarrassing incidents like the one where Sullivan admitted that his children had begged him not to sign Jose Fonte from Southampton and Robert Snodgrass from Hull City, even though Bilic wanted them.
The addition of Arnautovic was slightly different as he had plenty of Premier League experience and had had few injury issues during his time with Stoke, while at his age he should be in the prime years of his career.
The Austria international’s West Ham career changed following a calculated risk from Moyes that saw the 28-year-old used as a centre-forward in the 1-0 win against Chelsea in December with Carroll injured and Javier Hernandez struggling for form.
The attacker scored the winning goal, and he put in an influential performance that the board and the supporters would have been expecting consistently from the very first minute of his debut.
While he hit a blank in the goalless draw against Arsenal, Arnautovic then netted four goals in his next three Premier League appearances across the festive period.
He was showing the passion he had for the club and that meant he was becoming a real fans’ favourite for the London Stadium faithful.
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A last-gasp assist for Andy Carroll in the crucial 2-1 win against West Bromwich Albion on January 2 showed the huge impact he was continuing to have, and he also proved that he was building successful relationships with his teammates after setting up Manuel Lanzini twice in subsequent 4-1 win against Huddersfield Town at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Having missed the clashes with Crystal Palace and Brighton and Hove Albion – which his team only took one point from – because of a hamstring injury, the 28-year-old made a surprise early return to the starting line-up against Watford last weekend, and he found the net again in a 2-0 win.
Arnautovic has seven goals and a further three assists in his last nine top flight matches, and he looks as though he will be the talisman for them in their bid to stay away from the relegation zone in the final 11 league fixtures.
West Ham’s transfer strategy hasn’t always been clear or respected, but on this occasion the club look to have got it spot on with the Austrian being the perfect fit for them at the right time.
Former Liverpool forward John Aldridge wants his old club to move for Radamel Falcao after offloading Luis Suarez.
The Reds agreed to sell their star man to Barcelona recently in a deal worth £75m.
Although Brendan Rodgers has now overseen major additions over the course of the past few weeks, from the £90m spent a direct replacement for Suarez has not yet been secured.
WANT MORE? >> Liverpool transfer news | Latest transfer news
Loic Remy was dubbed as a man to help fill the void left by the Uruguayan, but his £8.5m switch from QPR to Anfield collapsed following issues surrounding his medical.
A number of targets have been linked with moves to Merseyside, and Aldridge hopes that Rodgers opts for Monaco’s Falcao:
“I thought Remy for £8.5m was a very shrewd buy but it’s fallen through for whatever reason, so Liverpool do need another striker in my opinion should something happen,” he is quoted by the Daily Star.
“Who is out there? Falcao, they’re saying he had a horrendous season last year.
“He was a bit part of the player he was last season. If he can get back to where he was the previous season then he would be one wouldn’t he?”
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Falcao only joined Monaco last year from Atletico Madrid in a deal worth around £50m, but he is understood to be open to leaving the Stade Louis II after failing to settle in his new surroundings.
The Colombian missed the back end of last season and the World Cup with injury problems, but is still considered to be one of European football’s most dangerous marksmen.
//www.youtube.com/embed/xCmk96_Pfpg
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