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The Athletic journalist James Pearce has reacted to comments made by former Arsenal star Paul Merson on Liverpool target Ozan Kabak.

Pearce fires back

Now a Sky Sports pundit, the ex-Gunners icon cast doubts over the 20-year-old due to how the Gelsenkirchen club are performing this season in the Bundesliga – bottom of the table with one win.

Kabak has reportedly passed a medical in line with a move to Anfield on an initial £1m loan move, with an £18m option to buy, via Paul Joyce.

Merson told Sky Sports, via Football Daily, that the mentality shift coming from a side that is losing to one that is expected to win, will be a challenge for the Turkey international.

But in response to this, Pearce highlighted three players who came from similar backgrounds have gone on to be a success on Merseyside.

Transfer Tavern Verdict

Pearce is absolutely spot on here. Manager Jurgen Klopp is well known for prioritising player development, nurturing talent and elevating individuals to the next level.

All of the aforementioned stars are now Champions League and Premier League winners, with Wijnaldum and Shaqiri scoring some memorable goals on the way.

Time will tell whether Klopp can have a similar impact on Kabak, and if he can possibly cement a place in the starting line-up which has remained relatively unchanged in recent years.

In other news, Club owner provides “Rolls Royce” review of Liverpool transfer target.

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, former Newcastle United footballer Steve Howey has been singing the praises of Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse.

The 26-year-old has enjoyed a superb start to the 2020/21 Premier League campaign, having averaged an impressive 7.24 rating for his performances, with four goals and four assists to his name in 18 appearances.

This ranks him as the Saints’ second-best performer in the top-flight, in what has been a promising start to the season from Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side, with European football certainly looking a possibility for next season if they maintain their current level of performances.

Ward-Prowse, in particular, has been getting a lot of praise, with Glenn Hoddle suggesting that his old club Tottenham Hotspur should sign the England international this month.

Indeed, Howey has suggested that it is something of a surprise that the Southampton academy graduate is still with his boyhood club, considering his excellent performances for the South Coast club in recent seasons.

Here’s what Howey had to say about Ward-Prowse when speaking exclusively to FFC:

“[Ralph Hasenhuttl] has got some very very good players. I’m still surprised that someone like James Ward-Prowse is still there. What a player he is. They’ve got some very good players that will cause problems for any team.”

Certainly, if Ward-Prowse’s excellent form continues this season, and Southampton don’t achieve European football, then it would not be a surprise if a top-six club from the Premier League club came knocking for the midfielder in the summer.

Fortunately for Hasenhuttl and the South Coast club, the Englishman’s £45,000-a-week contract runs until 2025, so it would have to be a substantial offer if Southampton were to sell him in the future.

Hopefully, the midfielder can help the Saints achieve European football of their own because it would be a massive loss if he were to leave the club in the near future.

And, in other news… “I can’t see him going” – Exclusive: Pundit makes claim on key Southampton man’s future amid exit rumours

This has been a rather troubled January for Leeds United. They have won just once and have failed to strengthen their ranks in the transfer window.

Though, despite Marcelo Bielsa insisting he’s happy with his squad, rumours of potential incomings are swirling around.

On the chalkboard

One of the names linked with Leeds in recent days has been Nottingham Forest youngster Brennan Johnson.

The winger is currently on loan at Lincoln City where he’s been tearing League One to shreds with five goals and six assists in 20 outings.

It’s an impressive record for a 19-year-old who is doing all the right things in terms of his personal development.

The Whites haven’t been afraid to strengthen their youth ranks in recent years and that was evident last summer. Victor Orta brought in the likes of Joe Gelhardt, Sam Greenwood, Cody Drameh and Crysencio Summerville.

Though, with a host of young attackers in their midst, signing another even if they are talented, fails to make much sense.

Unleash Poveda

There is no doubting the supreme talents of Johnson. However, rather than spending on new recruits this month, Leeds must look at unleashing someone already in their ranks.

That happens to be Ian Poveda. The 20-year-old signed from Manchester City a year ago but has only made one senior start since.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-this-weeks-latest-leeds-news” title=”Read this week’s latest Leeds news!”]

He has appeared ten times as a substitute in the Premier League this term but is yet to play from the off. Poveda’s only chance to shine from kick-off was against Crawley in the FA Cup.

Of course, that was a dismal affair for the Whites as they lost 3-0. However, the English winger was a ball of energy and if anyone could come away from the game with credit, it was him.

He was devastating in the final third and a wonderful piece of trickery in the first-half summed up his game. Poveda attempted four dribbles – two of which were successful – and also provided a key pass all within 58 minutes.

For various reasons, he hasn’t been given a regular chance in the Premier League but we reckon that should change in the back half of the campaign. After all, he possesses qualities that can frighten defenders.

Discussing the youngster earlier this season, Noel Whelan said: “You can see now when you talk about people changing games and bringing a different dimension, he’s very, very quick, got great feet, very tricky, likes to run at players. Very much like Raphinha as well.”

If Leeds really do have another Raphinha in their clutches, it can only be a good thing. The Brazilian has been a radiant ball of attacking quality since signing from Rennes and with three goals and three assists, is improving all the time.

It’s time Poveda was given a similar platform to try and do the same. Leeds would only harm his development further by bringing a player like Johnson to the club.

They must ignore him and unleash their own young players.

AND in other news, 3 new signings, Bielsa favourite axed: How Leeds’ XI could look after deadline day…

Speaking to Football Insider, talkSPORT regular Gabriel Agbonlahor has been wowed by Jarrod Bowen and has admitted he fully deserves a pay rise in reaction to claims from The Athletic over an increase to his salary – going on to say is it is a ‘great bit of business for West Ham’. 

Bowen has been a mainstay for David Moyes since arriving in 2020, starting 16 Premier League games in total this campaign alone, and reliable journalist David Ornstein claims the attacker has received a significant increase in salary after passing 30 appearances in all competitions for the Irons.

Agbonlahor hails Bowen business

In reaction to this development, Agbonlahor has heaped praise on the ‘great bit of business’ for West Ham with Bowen whilst claiming he will be a ‘star’.

“For me, he’s a quality player,” explained the talkSPORT regular to Football Insider. 

“The pay rise he’s got he deserves because he’s been outstanding this season.

“I’m sure now he just wants to get a few more goals and assists now to back up these great performances because he’s definitely going to be a star.

“It’s a great bit of business for West Ham.”

Transfer Tavern take

Given Bowen’s contribution for the Hammers this season, scoring four times and grabbing two assists (Whoscored), it’s hard to argue with the former Premier League striker’s assessment – and he is fully deserving of his reward.

Time will tell whether he does become a star for Moyes, but you wouldn’t bet against it based off this season.

In other news: West Ham fans reacted to these ‘unbelievable’ links, find out more here.

When it comes to the January transfer window, there is unlikely a period of time that Marcelo Bielsa and Victor Orta despise so much.

In the last two years it has been full of crushed excitement. In January 2019, a deal had all been wrapped up to sign Daniel James from Swansea. The electrifying winger was pictured at Elland Road and even signed the contract before the Swans failed to pick up the phone and sanction the move.

The following year, Leeds signed Jean-Kevin Augustin on loan from RB Leipzig. What followed was just 48 minutes of action, an obligation to buy that wasn’t fulfilled and a legal battle.

Consequently, it will take some very special circumstances for Leeds to do anything this January. Fortunately, those conditions may be met in Riqui Puig.

The Barcelona youngster’s contract is up at the end of the season and Leeds were first linked with the player towards the start of the month. However, they are now facing competition from Arsenal for his signature in what will be a hotly contested battle.

The £18m-rated midfielder is a highly promising individual and possesses all the characteristics needed to thrive in Bielsa’s system.

Writing about Puig on The Athletic in December 2018, journalist Kevin Williams said: “Puig plays on that weird tightrope like Iniesta, even as we should shun any and all comparisons. When he has the ball, he moves, makes the ball move as though they both have somewhere to go: Forward. Puig rarely plays a pass that isn’t forward.”

This is a glistening review of a youngster who has only got better in the last two years. In fact, he’s pretty similar to a Leeds player of days gone by – Samu Saiz. Of course, Puig’s potential is far higher but Orta could finally replace the diminutive Saiz with the Barca starlet.

Why is this? Well, they are both creative dynamos with the ability to burst forward with their technical ability.

Let’s focus on Saiz’s final campaign at Leeds here. He amassed 1.5 dribbles per game in the Championship, being fouled 1.8 times and providing the same number of key passes a match.

Now, if we analyse Puig’s 2019/20 season, you’ll see the almighty parallels. The 21-year-old registered 1.1 dribbles at a higher level and provided 1.7 key passes in the Champions League.

It’s clear to see why Leeds need to beat Arsenal to his signature. Puig is a wonderful ball carrier.

AND in other news, Leeds ace who played in “cruise control” was Bielsa’s true hero v WBA…

Short, but sweet. Henderson’s return to first-team training will no doubt boost his teammates, with an important game tomorrow lunchtime away to Brighton, to who well-respected journalist Henry Winter described him as the club’s “beacon of hope” (via the club’s official website).

Transfer Tavern Verdict

This will delight Liverpool fans. He is a player that they could have done with on Wednesday and will be welcomed back with open arms.

With Thiago Alcantara still not fully match fit and Fabinho looking like he will drop back to centre-back, Henderson will be key in the midfield.

Despite the quick turnaround, Liverpool will be wanting to right the wrong from their midweek woes and get back to winning ways in the Premier League.

And in other news, Liverpool fans react jubilantly to official statement concerning Jurgen Klopp’s key assets.

Despite netting in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Liverpool at the back end of last season, Reiss Nelson hasn’t seen too much game-time in the first-team.

The England U21 international has yet to play a single minute of Premier League football at the start of this new campaign, with his only form of action coming in the cup competitions.

But against Dundalk in the Europa League on Thursday night, Nelson delivered one of his most impressive performances in an Arsenal shirt, giving manager Mikel Arteta plenty to think about over these coming weeks and months.

Starting from the right-hand side of attack, the 20-year-old was one of the few Gunners players who always looked to drive forward at every opportunity, causing Dundalk defenders to run back towards their own goal in fear.

Whilst he may not have gotten himself on the score-sheet or even provided an assist for any of Arsenal’s goals in their 3-0 win over their Irish counterparts, he was undeniably their brightest spark.

As per Sofascore, he had three total shots, delivered two key passes and sent in a team-high ten crosses. Whilst only three of them found their mark, the intent was there, and in a team that’s been crying out for some creativity and energy recently, Nelson provided bundles of that.

Best of the Decade: Top scorers & creators – Can you name them?

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With Arteta being praised for the work he did with Manchester City’s wide players Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane whilst he was at the Etihad, he will surely see Nelson as his new project here at the Emirates.

The starlet has all the raw ingredients to become a top player, with pace to burn and incredible close control whilst running at speed. If the Arsenal boss can harness that in the right way, then they could have one of the Premier League’s elite wingers on their hands.

Wolves’ midfield is a fine engine room indeed – you’ve got the brawn of Leander Dendoncker, the control of Ruben Neves and some finesse from Joao Mourinho, though it is still lacking in one department.

Creativity.

And it appears that they missed the perfect solution this summer.

What was the word?

According to The Sun’s Alan Nixon last January, the Midlands outfit were “desperate” to sign then-Birmingham City wonderkid Jude Bellingham, but they faced competition from Manchester United as well as teams from within Europe’s top divisions.

The 17-year-old eventually opted for Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund in July, joining them in a record-breaking £25m deal and following in the footsteps of Jadon Sancho.

Speaking about the move, BVB sporting director, Michael Zorc, said: “He has enormous potential that we want to develop with him in the coming years. He already has a surprising amount of quality in his own possession as well as against the ball, and on top of that, the player also has a strong mentality.”

One that got away?

The decision to not push for a player that Nuno Santo seemingly was keen to sign has already proven to be a costly mistake.

This week, Bellingham was called up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad for games against Republic of Ireland, Belgium and Iceland. He’s still only 17.

Bukayo Saka claimed that his new Three Lions teammate was “doing amazing things” whilst Tyrone Mings believes he looks like a “fantastic talent” from training alone.

It’s no wonder that this amount of faith has been put in him, as he’s been performing substantially well in Germany since his mega-money switch.

The Dortmund sensation has scored one goal and provided two assists in all competitions whilst also averaging a passing success rate of 88.3%.

In the Bundesliga alone, Bellingham has averaged two tackles, 1.2 shots, 1.2 dribbles and one key pass per game, via WhoScored.

By comparison, none of the aforementioned Old Gold trio have contributed to a goal in the Premier League this season and only Neves surpasses the young England teen for key passes per game.

Bellingham has even been compared to Steven Gerrard in the past – Jermaine Pennant told talkSPORT (via Bundesliga.com): “He reminds me of a young Steven Gerrard. He throws himself about, he can get up and down the pitch, he can score goals and assist goals, he’s got trickery. He’s a fantastic young player.”

You can’t help but feel that Jeff Shi has missed out big time here, especially when one of his key philosophies revolves around bringing such fantastic potential to Molineux.

AND in other news, Shi dodged a huge £23.5m bullet in “fearless” Wolves target once dubbed a “nightmare”…

When all is said and done in Pablo Hernandez’s career he may well go down as one of Leeds United’s greatest ever players.

At the end of last season, the Spaniard became the first player in the club’s history to win three Player of the Year awards, and even at the age of 35, he’s one of the club’s most important stars.

Unfortunately, father time remains undefeated, and years of playing at the top-level is taking a toll on Hernandez’s body.

The Spaniard has missed the majority of the season so far due to an injury problem, and his absence has given us a preview of what life at Elland Road will be like once he retires.

Strangely, despite Hernandez being one of United’s best players, they’ve been absolutely fine without him.

Hernandez has played just 68 minutes in the league this season, meaning that the Whites have played 298 minutes without him, and the team have been absolutely fine during that period.

They’ve won seven points from their first four games, and they’ve had a great mix of youth and experience in Hernandez’s position, being able to call upon both Tyler Roberts and Rodrigo to play in his number 10 role.

Of course, Leeds will likely be a better side with Hernandez back in the fold, Pep Clotet quipped last season: “Leeds with Pablo are a different team than without Pablo. Both fantastic but one better than the other.”

But at least now they know they can hold their own in the Premier League without their star man.

Hernandez’s age will eventually get the better of him, but his football IQ still makes him a valuable commodity at the age of 35, with one of his closest friends Xabi Galvan describing him as “very intelligent”, and while that sort of genius will be tough to replace, it seemingly won’t be a massive blow.

Scottish publication The Courier have claimed that Coventry City boss Mark Robins sent a scout to cast an eye over Dundee United striker Lawrence Shankland.

Sky Blues boss Robins followed up his excellent promotion and title winning League One season last term with a number of significant arrivals at the club.

A whole host of new faces came into the Warwickshire based club including the likes of Gustavo Hamer, Ben Sheaf and Callum O’Hare.

Starting the Championship season, the Sky Blues lost their opening fixture against Bristol City but an excellent result at the weekend saw Robins’ side beat Queens Park Rangers.

Following that victory, Robins has now been linked with a potential 10th summer signing in the form of Shankland.

The report claims that a Coventry scout attended Dundee United’s 2-1 win over St Mirren, a game which saw the striker score an impressive volley.

Valued at £585,000 by Transfermarkt, the 25-year-old Glasgow born striker has netted 129 goals during his career in which he has made 256 appearances.

This could prove to be a superb signing for Coventry and one that would add some consistently proven firepower to Mark Robins’ squad.

Shankland’s record in Scottish football is impressive to say the least, last season alone he netted 24 goals in just 26 Championship appearances for Dundee United.

Whilst he may need time to adjust to the life in England, a striker with such a pedigree would still be well worth a gamble.

Do you think Shankland would make a good signing for Coventry City this summer? Let us know in the comments section below…