All posts by n8rngtd.top

Everton could go back in for a right-back in January, says former Toffees defender Michael Ball.

During the summer transfer window, Everton were heavily linked with a few players for that position, including both Denzel Dumfries and Nathan Patterson.

However, the Merseyside club failed to sign either, with Dumfries instead moving to Inter Milan and Patterson remaining at Rangers. It leaves Everton looking a bit light at right-back.

They do, of course, still have the experienced Seamus Coleman. But should anything happen to him, then Rafael Benitez’s men could find themselves in trouble.

Bearing that in mind, Ball expects his former side to revisit signing a right-back when the transfer window reopens in the new year. He told FFC:

“I think they would have panicked in the past and just paid the money that maybe Rangers wanted for Nathan Patterson; they might have offered more money for [Ainsley] Maitland-Niles just to get the deal over the line.

“I feel Everton could revisit this right-back option in January or next summer.”

Everton still have Jonjoe Kenny in their squad, who played in the 2-1 Carabao Cup second-round win against Huddersfield Town, so there is always that option for Benitez if Coleman picks up an injury.

With Lee Johnson having seen his Sunderland side lose their place at the top of the League One table following their 2-2 draw on Saturday, with Tuesday night’s opponents in the Carabao Cup Wigan Athletic overtaking the Black Cats in the league standing, the 40-year-old manager would have undoubtedly been hoping for a dominant performance against the Mackems’ promotion rivals in the cup clash.

And his players did not disappoint, with goals from Nathan Broadhead and Luke O’Nien sealing a commanding 2-0 win at the DW Stadium, with the Black Cats boasting 63% possession, completing 176 more passes than the home side and winning 11 more duels than the Latics.

Furthermore, perhaps predictably when considering the result, a number of Johnson’s team highly impressed on an individual level in the clash, with Broadhead, Alex Pritchard, Corry Evans and Bailey Wright all turning in brilliant performances.

However, it was undoubtedly Sunderland’s second goalscorer in the game, O’Nien, who ran the show on the night.

80% duels won

Indeed, aside from scoring the goal that all but sealed the win for Sunderland, O’Nien’s performance in the middle of the park was one of the highest calibre, with the central midfielder impressing both going forwards and at the back.

In terms of his attacking influence, the £135k-rated man scored one goal, took a total of two shots at goal, managed 76 touches of the ball – the fourth most of any player in the fixture – and completed four long balls.

Regarding his defending, the 26-year-old won 80% of his 10 duels, made three clearances, two tackles, one interception and won two fouls over the course of his 90 minutes on the pitch.

These returns saw O’Nien earn a SofaScore match rating of 7.7, the highest score received by any player to feature in the game.

As such, should the player Jack Ross dubbed a “revelation” maintain this level of performance for the remainder of the season, he will undoubtedly go on to play a huge role in Sunderland’s push for promotion out of League One, something that, following their highly impressive display against the current third-tier table-toppers, looks increasingly likely.

In other news: Sunderland enter into fresh talks with £4.3k-p/w “nightmare”, fans will be buzzing

Andriy Yarmolenko could remain at West Ham United for the rest of the 2021/22 season, according to the ever-reliable ExWHUemployee.

What’s the word?

Speaking on this week’s ‘The West Ham Way’ podcast, the Irons insider said:

“There have been plans to move him on. They tried to move him on in the summer. The problem is with him is that he is one of the highest earners, if not the highest earner, at the club at the moment.

“So obviously, if you’re not performing in the Premier League, you’re also in your 30s and you’ve got a bit of an injury-prone record, there’s not going to be many particular takers for you.

“So whilst you can try to agree a deal with a club that you might finance half the wages, perhaps to get him off, there’s not going to be that many takers.

“I think with [qualifying for] Europe, they probably made the decision that against European teams with his experience and when a game’s perhaps a little bit slower, and some of the climates, like in eastern Europe, particularly, he might be a bit more used to.

“They made the decision that perhaps this season, he could be a good squad player and then try and deal with his situation at the end of the year, again.”

Time to go

The vastly-experienced 102-cap Ukraine international is a rarely-seen figure around the London Stadium these days and considering he’s amongst the club’s highest earners, reported to be in the region of £115k-per-week, that’s an awful waste of money.

Last season, Yarmolenko started just once in the Premier League, whilst his 130 minutes across the top-flight, Carabao Cup and Europa League have flattered to deceive this campaign.

For example, during their 2-1 league defeat to Manchester United a few weeks ago, it was evident that manager David Moyes was far from pleased with what he saw from his substitute, having turned to him to spark a reaction.

Sky Sports commentator Rob Hawthorne said during the game: “I’m not sure David Moyes was entirely happy with the efforts of Andriy Yarmolenko there. Still, the dialogue is ongoing between the West Ham manager and the Ukrainian forward, who he has just brought on. He certainly wants to see more from him.”

The 31-year-old cost around £17.5m in summer 2018 but he’s been restricted to just 60 senior appearances for the club, largely due to a combination of injuries and his inconsistencies on the pitch.

Yarmolenko has been tipped to leave the east London outfit during the winter transfer window but Ex’s latest behind-the-scenes claim seems to pour cold water on such chances.

That aforementioned outing at Old Trafford saw much of the Hammers faithful slam the versatile frontman – some described him as a “waste of space and money”, whilst others urged the club to offload him, as relayed by West Ham Zone.

They will not be best pleased with this fresh verdict as it seems as if Moyes and co have decided that he has a part to play this campaign, especially with the club competing in Europe.

Yarmolenko is out of contract at the end of the season, so the Irons may well struggle to offload him much before then too.

AND in other news, Forget Kral: Moyes could find West Ham’s perfect Noble heir in £13m-rated “technician”…

David Moyes could repeat one of his transfer masterstrokes at West Ham but he may need to act fast as competition heats up…

What’s the word?

The Irons have been linked with a January move for Hull City forward Keane Lewis-Potter, who has risen through the ranks at the KCOM Stadium after making his senior debut in November 2019, as per TEAMtalk.

But now Premier League rivals Brentford have registered their interest, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein this week.

It’s thought that the Bees held talks with the Tigers’ ownership over a potential £8m switch in the closing days of the summer transfer window but a move did not come to fruition with the Championship outfit valuing him at £12m.

Bowen 2.0

The versatile 20-year-old gem can operate on either flank, as well as upfront. He bagged 15 goals on their way to promotion from League One and has since continued that form into the new campaign, finding the net three times.

His skill set and the nature of this move will earn plenty of comparisons to that of Jarrod Bowen, who joined in a £22m move from Hull almost two years ago.

He has since gone onto become an integral part of Moyes’ attack, providing ten goals and 12 assists, whilst also filling in for Michail Antonio up top whenever he’s been absent through injury or suspension.

In some ways, Lewis-Potter has been drafted in and come on leaps and bounds thanks to the void the 24-year-old left behind. And there are several more similarities between the two.

Described as a “special talent” by Tigers boss Grant McCann, the 5 foot 7 dynamo is said to be able to “create and score goals” wherever he’s played in the frontline, as per the club’s official website.

“He can be anything he wants to be. He’s quick, he’s getting stronger. If you see him physically now compared to where he was this time last year, he’s head and shoulders above in terms of his physique. He’s got all the tools to be anything he wants,” he added.

If Moyes can beat the Irons’ top-flight rivals to Lewis-Potter’s signature then he deserves his plaudits once again. We’ve seen how well the Bowen move has worked out, so if he feels the young Hull sensation can add more to the squad, then he should be trusted.

AND in other news, Moyes could find West Ham’s perfect Cresswell heir in “very promising” £8.1m-rated gem…

Tottenham Hotspur have just been handed a major boost in their pursuit of one mooted transfer target…

What’s the word?

Throughout the summer window, the north London outfit were regularly linked with a move for Fiorentina talisman Dusan Vlahovic, with the Telegraph’s Mike McGrath claiming that he’d be signed to play alongside Harry Kane, rather than to replace him.

Similar reports in Italy also hinted that Lilywhites sporting director Fabio Paratici is a big fan of the 22-year-old striker, whilst Calciomercato suggested last month that the Serbia international was the club’s top target for 2022.

And now an encouraging update has emerged on his future in Florence.

In a statement released by the club (via Sky Sports), La Viola owner Rocco Commisso has revealed that Vlahovic has turned down an offer of a new deal to become the highest-paid player in their history.

“As you know, Fiorentina made a very significant offer to the player. Our proposal would have made him the highest-paid player in the history of the club.

“We also improved our offer on a number of occasions in order to accommodate the requests of both Dusan and his entourage. However, despite our efforts, those offers have not been accepted.

“During my time in Florence over the past few weeks, I have personally endeavoured to find a solution that would make both the player and the club happy, but I am disappointed to say that our efforts and attempts have not been rewarded.”

Paratici must act

Whilst the statement goes on to suggest that the 6 foot 3 forward will remain committed to the club as he is contracted for another 21 months, that shouldn’t stop Paratici and co trying to force Fiorentina’s hand.

Aged just 21, the young frontman has proven to be quite the prolific goalscorer in the Italian top-flight.

Last season, Vlahovic bagged 21 goals in just 37 league appearances and has continued that form into the new campaign, where he has found the net six times from eight appearances, averaging one goal every 118 minutes.

It’s no wonder he has been dubbed a “complete number nine” by Serie A expert Conor Clancy, who told This is Futbol:

“I know it’s just off the back of one season, but he’s strong, can link play up, can hold the ball up and most importantly, he’s scoring goals. He’s one of those players that when he looks confident, you almost expect him to score every time he plays.”

Indeed, Vlahovic has averaged 2.4 shots and 2.1 aerials won per outing this campaign, via WhoScored, proving to not only be a towering physical presence in the final third but one that can regularly be a nuisance in front of goal, as if his goalscoring record didn’t already suggest that.

By comparison, only Heung-min Son (3.2) and Kane (2.5) have managed more shots at goal, whilst neither can match his aerial ability – in fact, only Lucas Moura (4.2) has managed more than Vlahovic’s 2.1 duels won per game, also per WhoScored.

With him not signing a new deal at Fiorentina, it would be foolish to not submit an offer for the striker during the January transfer window. The £36m-rated beast would be a solid addition for Nuno, who is known to want to deploy a two-man attack in north London.

Spurs have been handed a massive boost here, so it’s now on Paratici and Daniel Levy to act.

AND in other news, Reliable journo drops big behind-the-scenes Nuno claim, Spurs fans will be buzzing…

The Athletic’s George Caulkin has dropped an update on Newcastle United’s manager search involving former Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe.

What’s the story?

With Steve Bruce set to be sacked as Magpies boss, there have already been plenty of names bandied about in terms of taking over the helm at St James’ Park.

And, in a Q&A for The Athletic, Caulkin has delivered some news on where things stand with Howe, and whether he would be an ideal fit for Newcastle.

He said: “I know that members of the board have discussed Howe amongst themselves, but I don’t think he’s on the list I mentioned (they don’t have to stick to that list, of course!). Howe makes sense in some ways – he built Bournemouth, took them into the Premier League and did a brilliant job.

“Newcastle is very different to Bournemouth, though; bigger, louder, far more intense and demanding of managers. Bournemouth were also relegated under him. Look at where Newcastle are in the table.”

PIF must avoid Howe appointment

While appointing Howe a few years ago when he was earning rave reviews about his management and style of play at Bournemouth may have been seen as a coup, the way his tenure with the Cherries ended has surely sounded alarm bells.

After a couple of seasons successfully establishing Bournemouth as a Premier League side, a real struggle in his last year at the club saw him unable to save them from relegation.

Since then, Howe has spent time away from football, and after being linked with the manager’s job at Celtic over the summer, didn’t end up being appointed there.

As well as having a Premier League relegation on his CV, Howe’s record as a manager is hardly something to write home about: his final campaign in the top-flight saw him average considerably less than a point per game, and never averaged more than 1.2 in the time Bournemouth spent in the Premier League.

It would be an extremely underwhelming hire from Newcastle to go for someone who has been out of work for well over a year, and his last season ending in a relegation.

Fans will surely be worried if Howe is the man PIF go for.

Meanwhile, Newcastle must also get rid of this man as well as Bruce…

Leeds Live’s Beren Cross has delivered his verdict on Leeds United’s set-piece “problem” under Marcelo Bielsa.

What’s the story?

While the Whites may not have conceded from a corner or free-kick at the weekend against Southampton, their defensive frailties from those situations were clear for all to see, with Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side going close a number of times.

And now, responding to a question from a fan about when Leeds’ struggles with set-pieces would finally get sorted out, Cross said: “Well, Bielsa’s been here three years and it’s a problem which still rears its head at times. Saturday certainly stood out for the wrong reasons. I’m amazed Southampton did not score in the first half from open play or from the danger they were creating at corners.

“We sound like broken records if we keep going on about it, but you’re right, it’s a problem which has never really gone away, though there have been some decent spells. The goal chalked off against Watford technically came from a set-piece too.”

Concern for Leeds

Last season saw Leeds finish rank-bottom in the entire Premier League for most goals conceded from a set-piece with 15, while they’ve conceded twice from those already this campaign.

As Cross says, it was quite incredible that Southampton didn’t actually manage to convert one of their many chances on goal from corners, such was the kind of chaos and confusion in the Leeds box.

Whether it’s a change in system, or a case of the personnel not being quite right, the Whites have had a long-standing problem under Bielsa when defending their own goal from set-pieces.

Given the kind of meticulous detail that Bielsa works towards, having something like set-pieces be an Achilles heel when you can be doing so much work on the training ground during the week, is certainly concerning.

With Wolves up next in the Premier League – a team currently seventh for most goals scored from set-pieces this season and tenth last year – that could once again be a defining issue.

Meanwhile, Phil Hay has delivered a worrying verdict on Rodrigo…

Flocking to social media, many Liverpool fans have erupted as reliable reporter Fabrizio Romano shares a message surrounding target Jude Bellingham (Twitter).

Jurgen Klopp’s side have started the 2021/2022 season in fine form and are well in contention to grab the Premier League title back off current champions Manchester City.

The Reds suffered their fair share of injury woes combined with poor form last year but they have begun their road to redemption in electric fashion this time round.

Scoring 37 goals in all competitions already this season, their last Premier League outing, in which they thrashed bitter rivals Man United 5-0 at Old Trafford, only sums up their current run of form.

However, as the Reds set one eye on the future, reliable reporter Romano has shared a message on Twitter from Borussia Dortmund head of first team Sebastian Kehl.

It concerns Bellingham, who has reportedly been at the centre of interest from FSG, with it looking like Kehl has now confirmed those reports.

He explained to Sport 1 (via Romano): “There’s lot of interest around Jude Bellingham, not only Liverpool. But there is no bottom line and no exit clause. He is loved, he enjoys that. There are no signs he could leave BVB soon.”

Flocking to what one fan has called ‘interesting’ news, many Reds supporters have erupted on Twitter.

Find all of their best verdicts down below.

Liverpool fans flock to Bellingham news…

“He’s ours”

Credit: @tylfc1

“Named us directly, hmm interesting.”

Credit: @AllezAllezAllez

“So we are actually interested then till they tell us the price tag no doubt”

Credit: @DylanR777

“Liverpool in January”

Credit: @BigLad1080

“Yes finally fabrizio confirmed”

Credit: @Ata95436042

“Bellingham will play for Liverpool either this year or next year”

Credit: @JordanDelurey

“If we win the title or champs league again and we want him I think he comes to Liverpool”

Credit: @1969_lfc

“Mad so we actually are interested”

Credit: @lfcrobbie

The previous summer window saw a number of incoming and outgoing transfer deals taking place with the likes of Danny Ings, Mario Lemina, Jannik Vestergaard and Ryan Bertrand, among others, leaving the club in a mass exodus.

Meanwhile, the likes of Adam Armstrong, Romain Perraud and Lyanco, among others, made the move to St. Mary’s.

One player that made a permanent transfer to Southampton in the summer that the club hit the jackpot with is 18-year-old right-back Valentino Livramento.

Since joining the Saints for £5m from fellow Premier League side Chelsea, a side who did everything they could to keep hold of him in the summer according to Thomas Tuchel, the teenager has played the full 90 minutes in all of Southampton’s Premier League games so far this season apart from their 0-0 draw against Manchester City where he was taken off after 86 minutes after picking up a yellow card just two minutes earlier.

Livramento has also managed to score one goal and provide one assist in that time, proving to be an exceptional threat in offensive areas.

This shows just how important Livramento, who is currently valued at £10.8m according to Transfermarkt, has made himself for the Saints and how much Ralph Hasenhuttl rates him at such a young age.

The manager labelled the full-back back in August as a “fantastic young player”, and the fact that he is currently rated as Southampton’s second highest-rated player with an overall season rating of 7.02/10, according to WhoScored, further highlights what a great bit of business it was from the club to sign him.

However, with Livramento revealing last month that he would not rule out a potential move back to Chelsea in the future, an understandable admission given how he’s a product of their youth academy, we feel that it should be Southampton’s long term priority to keep him on the south coast for as long as possible.

His current contract isn’t set to expire until 2026 but given the talent he’s already shown in his short time at St. Mary’s and the fact that he has a lot of potential within him to develop and grow, it would be somewhat of a disaster to lose him.

While it may still be early days in his time at Southampton, it would be nothing short of a catastrophe for the club if they end up losing such a talented player before his current contract runs out.

He has proven to be an exciting addition to the Saints ranks and he could well be the difference between beating the drop next May.

In other news: Get rid: Ralph must let go of £18k-p/w forgotten Saints figure, his time’s running out – opinion

Journalist Phil Hay has confirmed that Leeds United have no new injury concerns but Patrick Bamford, Luke Ayling and Robin Koch are still missing.

The Lowdown: Leeds host Leicester in huge game

The Whites picked up a much-needed 2-1 win away to Norwich City last weekend, in what was just their second Premier League victory of the season.

Leeds will be aiming to take that momentum with them into Sunday’s visit of Leicester City, with the Foxes losing at Arsenal last Saturday and the only drawing at home to Spartak Moscow in the Europa League.

Marcelo Bielsa has had his fair share of injury problems to contend with this season and he has now provided a fresh update on the situation.

[freshpress-quiz id=“375277″]

The Latest: Hay gives injury update

Taking to Twitter on Friday morning from Bielsa’s pre-match press conference, Hay confirmed that Bamford, Ayling and Koch are all out of Sunday’s match, but everyone else should be available for selection:

“Bamford, Ayling and Koch are all still unavailable for Sunday. Sounds like everyone else is ready.”

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-23/” title=”Latest Leeds United news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Could be worse

It is vital that Leeds get their key injured trio back as soon as possible, but at least Bielsa will be able to field the same team as the Norwich game, should he decide to.

That will allow the Whites to retain an element of rhythm, hopefully leading to a positive result at Elland Road in a campaign where they have rarely gone from one match to another without another injury popping up.

There is pressure on both Dan James and Jack Harrison, however, having got a combined no goals and one assist in the league this season, so Bielsa may feel the need to leave one of them out.

In other news, one pundit has urged Leeds to drop one player for the Leicester game. Find out who it is here.