Leicester City looked extremely impressive last time out against Brighton and Hove Albion as they secured a 2-1 victory at the King Power Stadium with Brendan Rodgers watching on.
The Foxes will be desperate to enjoy a successful time of things under Rodgers after failing to ensure consistency at times during Claude Puel’s reign, with a European spot still in their sights.
Interestingly, it appears as if Midlands club have their sights on possibly securing a number of Celtic players in the summer, as according to The Times, Rodgers could raid his old club for Callum McGregor and James Forrest.
Indeed, securing the services of Forrest wouldn’t exactly be the most sensible of moves as the Foxes already have Demarai Gray, Marc Albrighton and Rachid Ghezzal. And, McGregor hasn’t exactly been able to live up to expectations in recent times at Parkhead, so the Premier League club would be better off looking at a different man.
One player who may be of interest to Rodgers is Ryan Christie, who is valued at £1.13 million (by Transfermarkt).
Christie has established himself as one of the shining lights in all competitions for the Hoops this season, having produced an impressive 10 goals and nine assists. The 24-year-old still has his best years ahead of him and he has Brendan Rodgers to thank for his rise to stardom in the current campaign.
So, with James Maddison currently operating in an attacking midfield role by himself, it would make sense for Rodgers to bring in another player who can provide goals and assists on a regular basis in the form of Christie. And, Rodgers will already know that he can get the best out of him in the Midlands, so it’s a no-brainer.
Arsenal have been dealt a blow in their hunt to sign James Rodriguez, after the on-loan Bayern Munich star hinted at a return to the Spanish capital when his deal with the German side ends as reported by The Mirror.
What’s the word, then?
The Independent had previously reported that the Gunners were hoping to sign the Colombian international on a loan deal in the January window, although a move failed to materialise.
Real Madrid were said to be hoping to offload the former Monaco man upon his return, potentially using him as a sweetener in a deal for Christian Eriksen, but Arsenal’s chances of landing him in the summer look to have been dented after Rodriguez’s latest comments.
The 27-year-old said: “In Madrid, I have everything such as my house and people who love me. We will have to see what happens, but at the moment I have a contract with Bayern Munich.
“I just want to finish the season and we’ll see what happens. I keep in touch with some Real Madrid players.”
Sounds like he’s pretty keen on returning, and staying, in Madrid.
Where would he fit in if he did arrive at the Emirates?
This season, Bayern’s number 11 has featured in five different positions across midfield, highlighting his versatility and effectiveness in each area.
Rodriguez has made 18 appearances across all competitions for Niko Kovac’s side, scoring three goals and recording two assists from positions such as the centre attacking midfield area, left attacking midfield, central midfield, right midfield and left midfield.
To compare with a player whose future in north London looks uncertain in Mesut Ozil, the German almost exclusively plays in the centre attacking midfield position, as well as occasional ventures out onto the right.
If Rodriguez did arrive at the Emirates, Arsenal would instantly be handed a boost in terms of their squad depth, as they would be getting a player with excellent versatility and one who can cover more positions than Ozil – Rodriguez also works a lot harder.
Of course, it must be said that the Colombian playmaker hasn’t shown the form that made Los Blancos shell out £63m for his signature after the 2014 World Cup, but there is definitely a player of real pedigree in there somewhere.
The Evening Standard reports that Mauricio Pochettino has told Vincent Janssen that he will be included in Spurs’ Premier League squad, despite having not made an appearance for the Lilywhites since August 2017 – a year-and-a-half ago. Is Poch getting desperate amid an injury crisis?
What’s been said?
Well, The Evening Standard understands that Pochettino told the striker in a meeting last Friday lunchtime that, despite the intention for the Dutchman to be included in a January exodus, that he will be included in the league squad, having failed to secure a move elsewhere last month.
China and Russia remain the only possible destinations for the former AZ Alkmaar hitman – the transfer window doesn’t close until the end of February there – although Spurs do not expect Janssen to move to either.
The 24-year-old spent last season on loan at Fenerbahce, where he scored four goals in 16 league appearances – has Poch become desperate as Harry Kane and Dele Alli are sidelined through injury?
Hanging in there
The club’s failure to sign Michy Batshuayi from Chelsea may come back to haunt them if their current lack of depth up front costs them their recently improved chances of winning the title, and Pochettino’s decision to add £17m flop Janssen to the squad shows how thin he feels his options really are.
The Argentine may even find himself regretting the decision to loan out Kazaiah Sterling to Sunderland if Janssen is to be his back-up to Fernando Llorente. Will Janssen feature next time out in order to give Llorente a break ahead of Spurs’ clash with Dortmund next Wednesday?
Son Heung-Min is capable of playing up front and has excelled there in the past but, beyond Llorente, Janssen is the only orthodox striker available for selection and that should concern Spurs fans, who will be counting down the days until Kane returns from his ankle injury.
The England captain sustained ligament damage in his side’s loss to Manchester United in January and could be out until March, by which point Spurs could easily have dropped out of the title race and have exited the Champions League.
Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin may be out for the season but it’s given him a chance to show off his new accessory. Check out the video below to see for yourself…
The Reds are currently top of the Premier League table by a huge 25 points – the biggest such margin in the history of the division – and they are just two wins away from confirming their inevitable status as champions. However, the current pandemic has not only seen professional football in the UK suspended, but has also threatened to cancel the campaign altogether.
Everton legend Graeme Sharp believes that the season should be declared null and void. The 59-year-old told The Irish Independent that, whilst it would be a shame for the Reds not to win the title and that Leeds and West Brom would not be promoted, this is the only way to go.
This was shared by Liverpool Echo reporter Ian Doyle, and as you can imagine, it has got the Anfield outfit’s supporters reacting in their droves with many claiming that Sharp is just a bitter Evertonian. You can see some of the best comments from the social media platform below.
What do you make of the comments? Let us know below!
Ricardo Pereira has long been one of the most impressive full-backs in the Premier League.
Signed from Porto in 2018, the Portuguese’s stock has been rising at a rapid rate. The fact he won Leicester’s Player of the Year last term is fine evidence of the progress he’s made.
Throughout the 2019/20 top-flight campaign, no defender has made more tackles per game than the 26-year-old. Alongside Wilfred Ndidi, he tops the charts with 4.3 each outing on average.
Not only that but he’s also a threat in the final third. Last season he was involved in eight goals in league action alone. So far this term, he’s managed three goal involvements in another impressive season.
But with that comes interest from elsewhere. Barcelona are one of the teams courting his services and have already sent scouts to watch him.
Leicester aren’t shy of selling highly-touted players for huge prices and eventually caved in by shipping on Harry Maguire for £80m last summer.
Can you remember how much each of these transfer icons cost? Only experts will get 100% on our quiz…
Brendan Rodgers has already stated that no player will leave this January but as we know, things change quickly in football and with Pereira’s exit lingering, they’ve been linked with a move for Barcelona’s Moussa Wague.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the Senegal international could make a temporary move at first with an option to buy at a later date inserted into the terms
But Rodgers has swiftly battered away those claims. Last week, he said: “I have a top European full-back in Ricardo Pereira and I have a young guy behind him in James Justin, who is a fantastic talent. We don’t have any need for a right-back.”
However, he’d be foolish to dismiss the opportunity to sign Wague if the opportunity is there.
Assessing his statistics alongside Pereira makes for impressive reading and on the evidence provided, he’d be an excellent replacement and successor for the potentially departing right-back.
Even as an understudy, he’d be a valuable asset, someone capable of shifting the aforementioned James Justin to a left-back role. The former Luton man is capable of playing in either full-back position so completely shutting down the suggestion of signing another right-back doesn’t seem sensible.
Wague matches up closely to Pereira, specifically in the final third where both players are dangerous with 0.8 and 1 key pass per match respectively throughout their careers.
Losing one of their star players would be a big blow for Leicester but knowing they have someone like the Barcelona right-back to fall on would undoubtedly soften the blow. Rodgers must still consider the Senegalese just in case.
In other Leicester news, fans of the Foxes are keen to GET RID of another defender already at the club…
Arsenal appear to be making progress in their bid to sign Boca Juniors winger Cristian Pavon and it is believed the Gunners are ready to spend big money on him in January.
With the winter transfer window looming, manager Unai Emery has had a number of injuries to deal with in recent weeks but the horrific ankle injury to Danny Welbeck in November has opened the door for a long-term replacement for the former Manchester United man.
Welbeck is out of contract at the Emirates at the end of the season and it is unlikely that the North London Club will offer him a new deal given the lengthy layoff expected.
But the Sun now reports that Arsenal could match Boca Juniors’ asking price of £40m for Pavon. The Argentinian international has had his fair share of injuries lately with Unai Emery looking to pounce on the situation in January and improve his side’s chances of finishing in the top four.
Pavon would add pace and physicality to the right-wing of the Emery team, where Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been operating in recent matches.
The manager is yet to find his perfect front-three combination with both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette competing for the striker position after playing together in a few matches earlier this season.
Pavon would increase the competition for a spot on the wing and his ability to play on the left could also add pressure on the likes of Alex Iwobi and Aaron Ramsey.
The 22-year-old however could get the nod of Emery if he hits the ground running as an Arsenal player with the manager apparently a huge fan of him.
He could be just the player Arsenal need to provide them with a competitive edge from the flanks and make strong and physical runs at opposition defenders.
Mkhitaryan and Iwobi’s pass and shot accuracy have let the team down on far too many occasions this season and would Pavon prove to be much more clinical in front of goal.
According to Calciomercatio via Football-Italia, Aston Villa are lining up former Inter Milan boss Andrea Stramaccioni as a replacement to struggling Steve Bruce.
The Villans currently sit in 13th place in the Championship, having only managed to win three of their opening nine fixtures, and pressure is beginning to mount on the former Man United defender.
Reports suggest that the manager has only a few games to turn his fortunes around, but that is all he may need. At this stage in the season, a few good results and a team can rocket up the table- the very thing has happened to West Brom in recent weeks. Two of Villa’s next three opponents are in the bottom three in the table, Preston North End and Millwall; register two wins there and Bruce is sitting in a much cosier position.
That is why it is key that the board at Villa Park remain patient with their manager. After all, this is a man that has already proven that he can take Villa back to the Premier League, after just being pipped by Fulham last season in the play-off final.
Furthermore, Stramaccioni would be a gamble by Villa, and one that they should need to take in their position. If they were sitting at the bottom of the table, they would have nothing to lose, but they are still in a position where their season could get much worse, and that could happen by signing Stramaccioni- a man that has barely spent a season at his previous four roles before being fired.
Villa aren’t in a terrible position yet, and in a few weeks time Bruce could be secure in his job again. This is certainly not the time to jump into any silly decisions by the club.
Ashley Williams wants to stay and fight for his place at Everton, but fans are absolutely delighted that the club are willing to sell the Welshman.
According to The Liverpool Echo, Williams “could yet stick it out and fight for his place” at Everton after a poor season last year.
The experienced Welsh captain was brought to Goodison to help instil some backbone and leadership in the heart of the Toffees’ defence, but his lack of discipline has infuriated fans.
The report says the club are “willing to listen to offers for him” and that the 33 year-old is “not short of suitors”. He has 12 months left on his contract.
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”267842″ player=”12034″ title=”Five things we learned from England v Colombia”]
The Toffees have already sold Ramiro Funes Mori, so if Williams does leave one would have to expect at least one new defensive signing, if not two.
Alfie Mawson, Ben Gibson and Yerry Mina have all been linked with moves, and fans are desperate to get rid of Williams to make space for some new names.
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You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below, where fans are absolutely crucifying the Welsh captain…
According to reports in The Times, Aston Villa’s move for former Chelsea captain John Terry could be hijacked by arch-rivals Birmingham City.
What’s the word, then?
Well, Sky Sports reported on Tuesday that Villa manager Steve Bruce is keen to bring the 36-year-old to Villa Park this summer as he looks to mount a Championship promotion push next term.
The duo played golf together on the Algarve over the weekend and talked over terms, but City boss Harry Redknapp looks to have made a late bid to bring him to St Andrew’s instead.
Redknapp has been promised significant funds to try and help Birmingham push for promotion after they flirted with relegation last season, and he is keen to bring in experienced players over the summer in order to help them do that.
The Midlands rivals obviously feel he still has something to offer, and the battle is set to commence for his signature.
Would he want to play in the Championship?
He probably would, yes.
The 36-year-old knows he is at a stage of his career where he wants to be playing on a regular basis to make the most of his final years on the pitch, and realistically that is more likely to happen at a Championship club rather than a Premier League one.
The former Chelsea skipper is said to have had offers from the likes of Bournemouth and West Bromwich Albion, but they were unable to give him guarantees that he would be a regular in the starting line-up.
Would Terry prefer Villa or Birmingham?
It’s difficult to say.
With Villa having Steve Bruce in charge and the best squad on paper, you would expect them to have a better chance of winning promotion to the Premier League next season.
However, it could depend on how good Terry’s relationship with Harry Redknapp is, and Birmingham certainly got their business off to a positive start as they signed Brighton and Hove Albion stopper David Stockdale on Tuesday.
What’s the verdict, then?
Well, a move to the Championship is looking more and more likely for John Terry and Aston Villa and Birmingham City look to be the frontrunners for the 36-year-old’s signature.
The two clubs believe he can still offer something at this level and while Villa should be favourites, the chance to work with Redknapp may be more appealing.
Leeds United will be looking to get back to winning ways when they host fellow promotion hopefuls Reading at Elland Road on Tuesday night.
The Whites were beaten 2-0 by another team aiming for the Premier League – Brighton and Hove Albion – at the Amex Stadium on Friday night as they finished the weekend in sixth position in the Championship standings.
Garry Monk’s men were always up against it after Kalvin Phillips was dismissed in the 23rd minute when he handled the ball on the line, with Glenn Murray converting the penalty.
Next up for the Yorkshire outfit is another test against the in-form Royals, who lie in third place after winning six of their last seven matches, and Monk will have to make at least one change to his starting XI – with Phillips serving a suspension following his red card on the south coast.
Football FanCast picks the Leeds XI that will take all three points at Elland Road…
GK: Rob Green
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As soon as Leeds went down to 10 men in the 23rd minute against Brighton, Green would have guessed that he was in for a busy match and it proved to be the case as the majority of the play came in the Leeds half.
There was little he could do about either goal and he will now hope to replicate the clean sheet he kept in the Whites’ previous home league game against Aston Villa.
RB: Luke Ayling
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The right-back had to stand on egg shells for the rest of the match on Friday night after being booked for a tackle on Jamie Murphy in the 11th minute, and of course matters weren’t helped when Kalvin Phillips was dismissed – increasing the pressure on the defence.
Ayling will look to avoid another early yellow card against the in-form Royals, when he comes up against a notoriously tricky winger in the form of Jordan Obita.
CB: Kyle Bartley
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Like Ayling, the centre-back was also booked against Brighton. Amid a solid season, he will want to put in another dominant display, while ensuring that he stays on the pitch, when Reading visit Elland Road on Tuesday.
Alongside Pontus Jansson, the on-loan Swansea man has impressed for the Whites this season and he will have a physical battle to look forward to against the Royals, with either Dominic Samuel or Yann Kermorgant likely to start up top for Jaap Stam’s side.
CB: Pontus Jansson
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The Swede was taken off with two minutes to play against Brighton and he didn’t look too impressed by Monk’s decision to substitute him.
After showing great form at the heart of the defence this season, Leeds supporters will be hoping he was sacrificed because he was on a yellow card rather than picking up a late injury, as the Torino loanee looks to continue his impressive partnership with Bartley.
LB: Charlie Taylor
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Taylor is one of the most exciting players in the Championship and he will look to once again make a difference at both ends of the pitch against Reading, who were beaten 5-0 in their last away game at Fulham.
The full-back will need to be on his game defensively as he comes up against potent Royals winger Roy Beerens, who scored both of his side’s goals in their 2-1 win against Sheffield Wednesday at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday.
CM: Ronaldo Vieira
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The 18-year-old has been one of Leeds’ breakthrough young stars this season and had formed a good partnership with Kalvin Phillips in recent weeks, although that was broken up when Philips saw Red against Brighton.
Vieira will have a new midfield partner on Tuesday and be asked to provide that continuity in the engine room. He will need to be strong when he comes up against Garath McCleary, who is one of the Championship’s most experienced performers.
CM: Matt Grimes
With Kalvin Phillips set to miss the match against Jaap Stam’s men following his red card, Grimes appears the most likely to deputise in central midfield.
He entered the action at half-time against the Seagulls and slotted in alongside Vieira in the middle of the park. He looks set do the same again on Tuesday with Eunan O’Kane and Liam Bridcutt still doubts because of groin and foot injuries respectively.
RW: Stuart Dallas
Following the 2-0 defeat to Brighton, Leeds boss Monk may look to shake up his attacking options for the visit of the Royals and it could be a chance for Dallas to impress on the wing instead.
Hadi Sacko has been largely inconsistent during his spell in the starting XI, so it could be time for him to be given a rest and the Northern Ireland international handed an opportunity to put the Reading defenders under pressure.
CAM: Kemar Roofe
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The attacking midfielder scored his first Leeds goal in the 2-0 win over Aston Villa in their last match at Elland Road, and will be keen to net in successive home games when Reading come to town.
Chances were few and far between for Monk’s men at Brighton on Friday night once they went down to 10 men, and it was a largely frustrating night for Roofe and Co in attack.
But the former Oxford man is an exciting talent and will want to have more of an impact against the Royals.
LW: Souleymane Doukara
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Like Roofe, the Senegal forward endured a frustrating night at the Amex Stadium after being one of Leeds’ most impressive attackers in recent weeks.
But he scored in the Yorkshire derby against Rotherham before assisting Roofe for his first Leeds goal against Aston Villa, and he will look to provide that goal threat and creativity on Tuesday night – although that may be tough against a Wales international in the form of Reading right-back Chris Gunter.
ST: Chris Wood
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Leeds will once again be looking to top goalscorer Chris Wood to provide their main attacking threat against the high-flying Royals, as he attempts to add to the ten league goals he has netted this term.
He faces a tough centre-back duo in Paul McShane and Liam Moore, who have been key to the Royals’ recent rise up the Championship table, but is more than capable of adding to his tally against them.