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Southampton suffered their third Premier League defeat of the season last weekend in their 3-1 loss against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, leaving Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side still without a win.

Heading into the game against Thomas Tuchel’s men, Hasenhuttl gave Saints winger Theo Walcott his first start since recovering from an injury.

On The Chalkboard

During the match, Walcott, who is currently earning a weekly wage of £75k-per week, the highest of any Southampton player according to Spotrac, had very little impact on the game in an attacking sense for the Saints.

Before being replaced at halftime by Ibrahima Diallo, the winger had just 17 touches of the ball, failed to have any shots on target and missed one big chance, ultimately earning himself a rather uninspiring overall match rating of 6.6/10 according to SofaScore. Furthermore, he could only manage a measly nine passes.

What made his outing even worse was the surprising nature of Walcott’s selection. Southampton writer Glen de la Cour noted: “I was absolutely stunned that Walcott came straight back into the team.”

Early in his playing career, Walcott worked his way through Southampton’s youth academy before making his senior debut for the club in August 2005 in a 0-0 draw against Wolves in the Championship under former Saints boss Harry Redknapp.

The speedster then left the club for a move to Arsenal in January 2006 before eventually returning on a loan deal from Everton in October last year and ultimately signing back to the Saints on a free transfer during the recent summer transfer window.

Overall, the 32-year-old, who is currently valued at £4.5m according to Transfermarkt, has made a total of 50 appearances for the Saints across all competitions, bagging eight goals and providing three assists along the way.

Moving forward, with Southampton set to take on Leeds United in their next league fixture after the international break, we feel that Hasenhuttl would be better off dropping Walcott for this game and perhaps start Mohamed Elyounoussi instead.

The Norwegian has more game time under his belt this season having played 90 minutes on four occasions in the league.

However, with Southampton having failed to score a goal in three of the four games that Elyounoussi has played the full 90 minutes in, this could potentially put some doubt in Hasenhuttl’s mind as to which winger he decides to start against Marcelo Bielsa’s side.

With that in mind, we feel that Walcott didn’t do enough in the Chelsea match to show he should be starting against Leeds.

In other news: Signed for £0, now worth £28.8m: 26 y/o gem has become a Southampton masterclass – opinion

Liverpool will end a frantic week of football on Saturday as they take on Manchester City at Wembley to try and earn a place in the FA Cup final.

After playing each other in the Premier League last weekend, the two clubs were both in Champions League action on Wednesday night, both securing a place in the semi-finals.

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Looking ahead to this latest showdown between the Premier League’s top two, it seems as though the Merseyside club may have been handed a double injury boost which could improve their chances of securing victory.

What’s the news?

During the second half of City’s 0-0 draw against Atletico Madrid, both Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker were taken off with suspected injuries.

Speaking after the draw in Madrid, City boss Pep Guardiola said that the club are in “big trouble” when asked about the injury situation.

With De Bruyne having a knack for scoring in big games such as the opener between City and Liverpool last weekend, potentially not having him in the side at Wembley would surely be a big boost for the Reds and diminish City’s attacking power somewhat. Indeed, the Belgian has a higher average of shot-creating actions per 90 minutes than any other City starter in the Premier League so far this season.

With Walker boasting a combined total of 48 tackles and interceptions throughout the current campaign, he too would be a big miss for the reigning league champions, in terms of being able to deal with Liverpool’s attacking stars.

Great news for Klopp

Looking ahead to Saturday’s showdown at Wembley, if City were to be without both players through injury, this would be great news for Jurgen Klopp and definitely give his side an advantage.

Having twice come from behind to secure a point at the Etihad Stadium last weekend, the Reds will definitely want to beat their title rivals this time around.

Also, with the Merseyside club having already tasted success at Wembley earlier this season when they won the Carabao Cup, the players will presumably jump at the chance to get their hands on some more silverware.

However, for the time being, it’s a waiting game regarding the fitness of Walker and De Bruyne, which will surely have a lot of people at the Manchester club sweating.

In other news – Fewer touches than Alisson: Liverpool waster who lost 92% of his duels was “awful” against Benfica

An update has emerged on Newcastle United’s interest in Chelsea and England playmaker Ross Barkley…

What’s the talk?

According to The Northern Echo, discussions are underway between Eddie Howe and the club’s recruitment chief Steve Nickson over potential January signings.

The report claims that the Chelsea attacking midfielder is one of the names being discussed, along with Harry Winks, Jesse Lingard and James Tarkowski.

Get it done

PIF must ensure that they can get a deal over the line for Barkley, as the England international could improve their chances of avoiding relegation this season.

The £100k-per-week beast has 230 career appearances in the Premier League and knows what it takes to perform at this level, playing for Everton, Aston Villa and Chelsea in the top flight. He has racked up 28 goals and 31 assists in that time, showing that he is capable of delivering in the final third with contributions in front of goal.

Outside of Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin, no Newcastle player has more than one Premier League goal this term, which suggests that the squad could be bolstered by a goalscoring midfielder in January. Barkley has 11 goals and 11 assists in 94 games for Chelsea and could be the player to come in and provide a spark in the final third.

Indeed, his former Everton manager Roberto Martinez once compared him to ex-Premier League icons Michael Ballack and Paul Gascoigne. The Spaniard said: “I’ve never seen a young English player with his sort of mentality.

“I can see some (Michael) Ballack in him and some Gazza (Paul Gascoigne). It’s fine for us to make comparisons but he is Ross Barkley. He has great balance, is good with both feet and is developing an incredible awareness.

“You can compare him against any of the best young Brazilians, Dutch or even Spanish.”

This provides an insight into the type of player Barkley is, with his ability to create something out of nothing shown in his statistics for Chelsea. He is capable of popping up with a goal or assist from the middle of the park and that talent could help the Magpies to win games in the second half of the season in their fight against the drop.

Therefore, Howe and PIF must launch an official swoop for the 27-year-old and attempt to bring him to St James’ Park in the winter window.

AND in other news, PIF must seal dream NUFC move for “exceptional” 114-goal magician who Howe would love…

Aston Villa and Leeds have both approached West Ham over a possible move for Manuel Lanzini, according to TEAMtalk.

The Lowdown: Gerrard’s huge January kitty

Steven Gerrard looks set to be a busy man in the New Year in what will be his first transfer window as Villa boss.

A new centre-back and a defensive midfielder are reportedly his main priorities, with Marvelous Nakamba suffering a serious knee injury in recent weeks.

He’s been promised a huge transfer kitty by NSWE, and it appears as if attacking midfielder Lanzini is a player of interest to Gerrard and sporting director Johan Lange.

The Latest: Villa’s enquiry

TEAMtalk shared a story on Wednesday evening suggesting both Villa and Leeds made it clear to the Hammers they are keen on the Argentine.

West Ham were open to an exit earlier in the season, but they have rebuffed approaches regarding a January transfer involving Lanzini.

The 28-year-old, labelled as a ‘top player’ by Darren Bent, has made 20 appearances in all competitions this season, with his three league starts coming in the last three fixtures.

The Verdict: Priorities

Gerrard and Lange’s main focus should be on a holding midfielder in January, so their failed approach for Lanzini shouldn’t be viewed as a disaster at this moment in time.

The club have just Douglas Luiz as the only available senior defensive midfield option following Nakamba’s injury. Should they get one in early next month, then perhaps a move for an attacking midfielder could be of use, with Jacob Ramsey the club’s only out and out attacking midfielder.

However, Gerrard has plenty of wide attacking talent on the books who could adapt to a central role, but losing Luiz alongside Nakamba and not bringing in a replacement could be extremely worrying.

In other news: ‘Disgrace’ – Lots of Villa fans fume as ‘ridiculous’ pre-Chelsea update emerges. 

Lots of Everton fans have been left buzzing over some injury news that has emerged ahead of their game away at Norwich City in the Premier League.

As per The Athletic journalist Patrick Boyland, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison and Yerry Mina are all now back in training for the Goodison Park faithful, meaning that they could all feature against the Canaries if deemed fit enough.

All three of them rank among the Merseyside club’s ten best players so far this season, according to WhoScored, with Calvert-Lewin number one.

The striker has scored three goals in the four matches that he has played in the Premier League this term, and having him back with Richarlison will certainly give Rafa Benitez’s team more of a goal threat, while Mina provides another solid option defensively.

Everton fans on injury news

These Toffees buzzed as the injury news was shared on Twitter, with one Blues supporter even going as far as to claim that it was a ‘huge boost’:

“Good news Boyland at the back post!!!”

Credit: @EFCMatt1

“Huge boost for weekend hopefully”

Credit: @GraemeMcV

“Yesssssss”

Credit: @Foxy0580

“Cracking news this”

Credit: @Byrdsman75

“Brilliant. Start all 3 on Saturday imo”

Credit: @CBobblers1878

“Things you love to see”

Credit: @JGreenway8

In other news, find out which EFC ace’s claim has fans speculating here!

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Newcastle fans have taken to Twitter in panicked fashion after Rafa Benitez’s £6m ‘shackle’ clause at the club expired, meaning that he could leave the club with no consequences, as reported by The Daily Mail.

The Spaniard previously would have had to pay a £6m fee to the Magpies if he wanted to leave before the end of his contract, but now that clause has expired, fans are worried that the former Liverpool boss has had enough of Mike Ashley’s nonsense.

When quizzed on if he would walk if Newcastle failed to sign anyone before Thursday’s deadline, Benitez simply said, as quoted by The Daily Mail: “‘We will wait until Thursday and see what happens.”

Pretty ambiguous stuff, it must be said – although Newcastle are now closing in on a deal for Miguel Almiron, per BBC Sport.

The subject of Benitez’s future resurfaced in his press conference after the Magpies’ win over Manchester City, and while he seemed keen to quash rumours of an abrupt exit, he didn’t completely rule out the notion either. As quoted by The Chronicle (22:28), he said; “I didn’t say I will leave. I said I am a professional and I have my principles and I will do my job until the last minute.”

Check out Neymar’s controversial new haircut for 2019 and Xherdan Shaqiri as you’ve never seen him before in the video below…

With the club from Tyneside already sat precariously above the drop zone, their survival hopes would be hanging by a thread if Benitez were to walk away from St James’ Park.

Understandably, fans of the club are petrified if their reactions on Twitter are anything to go by…

Former Aston Villa centre-forward Gabriel Agbonlahor has claimed that Ivan Toney would be a brilliant fit for Villa.

What’s been said?

Speaking recently on talkSPORT (via Birmingham Live), Agbonlahor stated his belief that the Brentford forward has the ability to play for a team that is fighting for European qualification in the Premier League, before suggesting that the 25-year-old would make an ideal strike partner for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins.

Speaking about the centre-forward, Agbonlahor said: “I think he’s got what it takes to be in a team that’s fighting for Europe… somewhere like Villa as a target man, playing with Watkins.”

Lange must move

While there are no concrete links being reported regarding a potential Aston Villa move for Toney, considering just how impressive the 25-year-old has been for Brentford this season, it would be difficult to disagree with Agbonlahor’s claim that the striker would make an impressive addition to Dean Smith’s options in attack.

Indeed, over his eight Premier League appearances so far this term, the £28.8m-rated man has already scored two goals, registered two assists and created four big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 2.3 shots and making 1.4 key passes per game.

These returns have seen the player Thomas Frank claimed boasts the “mindset of a lion” earn a remarkable average SofaScore match rating of 7.47, ranking him as the Bees’ best performer in the top flight, as well as the ninth-best in the entirety of the division.

As such, the prospect of the £21k-per-week Toney lining up alongside either Watkins – one goal in six league appearances – or Danny Ings – three goals over eight league fixtures – is certainly a mouthwatering one.

And, while it would appear an incredibly unlikely scenario considering their highly impressive start to the season, should Brentford find themselves being relegated to the Championship at the end of the current campaign, and the opportunity to sign Toney presents itself, Johan Lange simply must do everything in his power to secure the 25-year-old’s arrival at Villa Park.

In other news: “Outstanding” Aston Villa gem who won just one duel failed Smith in derby collapse

Everton manager Frank Lampard has revealed a massive team news boost ahead of the Toffees’ clash against West Ham on Sunday.

What’s the latest?

Taking to Friday’s press conference ahead of the clash at the London Stadium, the 43-year-old provided an update on Dominic Calvert-Lewin which will be music to Evertonian ears.

Speaking to the club’s official website about the 25-year-old, Lampard said: “He’s in a really good place. The break has been positive for Dominic (Calvert-Lewin).

“We’ve worked well, really closely with him over the past couple of weeks. Without putting unnecessary pressure on him, because it’s tough to be a striker with expectation. He’s in a really good place.”

Huge boost for Everton

Lampard’s latest update regarding Calvert-Lewin comes as a huge boost for Everton. The Toffees have often struggled in front of goal this season and, with just 29 goals in the Premier League, find themselves ranked as the joint-fourth lowest scorers in the top flight.

It is clear that Everton have missed their 25-year-old talisman this season, as indeed any team would be badly affected if they had to do without a player who netted 16 goals in his most recent league campaign and began this term with three in as many matches before injury struck.

Extra clarification of how poor Everton’s goalscoring numbers have been this season comes in the form of Liverpool superstar; Mohamed Salah. So far this season, the Egyptian has 30 goal contributions to his name, in the form of 20 goals and 10 assists. In other words, he has been involved in more goals on his own than Everton have scored as a team this season, a stat which will no doubt infuriate Toffees fans.

Lampard’s side find themselves in a precarious position in the table and will need all help they can get if they are to avoid relegation to the Championship.

Calvert-Lewin’s return also adds some enhancements which cannot be quantified, such as his ability to act as a focal point and create space for a team-mate, or his ability to hold up the ball in the attacking third; giving his team-mates the chance to make runs out wide. Whilst his end product should certainly aid Everton in their hunt for Premier League survival, his playing style as an out-and-out physical striker could indeed prove to be the difference between staying up and going down for the Toffees.

His impending return is undoubtedly a huge boost for Everton and will eave Lampard ecstatic ahead of a testing fixture this weekend against Europa League quarter-finalists West Ham.

In other news – Everton must finally unleash £19.8m “freak of a talent” who has been “destroyed”

Celtic look set to announce the signing of striker Johnny Kenny by Thursday evening, The Irish Independent report.

The Lowdown: Kenny profiled

Kenny, described as a ‘really important’ signing by Sligo Rovers boss Liam Buckley last year, is 18 years of age and is an out-and-out centre-forward.

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He was first linked with a move to Celtic Park back in September and has been involved in 14 goals in 34 appearances for his current employers.

Kenny now looks set to become the third Irish addition under Ange Postecoglou after James McCarthy and Liam Scales, with a transfer seemingly close.

The Latest: Fee agreed

The Irish Independent shared a story on Wednesday evening regarding Kenny, claiming a move is set to be announced in the next 24 hours, meaning we are really counting down the minutes as of Thursday afternoon.

The Hoops and Sligo Rovers have agreed on a €150,000 (£125,000) fee, with further a six-figure add-on added, should Kenny make a set number of Celtic first-team appearances.

A sell-on clause has also been included thought to be in the region of 10-15%.

The Verdict: B team addition?

Celtic have seemingly pipped Hibernian in the race for Kenny, and at an initial fee of £125,000, it seems to be a low-risk signing.

He clearly appears to be an exciting talent with his impressive goal record at senior level, and you’d think he could slot into Celtic’s B team to start with.

Should he continue his impressive form in front of goal for the Hoops’ B team, then you’d expect that Postecoglou could be tempted to integrate Kenny into the first team sooner than planned.

In other news: Celtic may now sign £4.5m-rated man on loan; would ‘separate’ Nicholson from Lawwell. 

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Tottenham Hotspur legend Graham Roberts has shared one ‘change’ he expects Antonio Conte to make in training after what he was ‘told’.

The Lowdown: Conte era begins…

As officially announced, Conte is now set to usher in a new and exciting era at Spurs with the four-time Serie A winner bringing plenty of trophy-winning pedigree and experience to the club.

Indeed, just last season, the Italian managed to clinch Inter Milan their first Scudetto in over 10 years and end Juventus’ stranglehold on the top flight.

Now, as he returns to the Premier League for the first time since leaving Chelsea, much change is expected at N17 in regards to Tottenham’s footballing philosophy and mindset.

Under Nuno Espirito Santo, the Lilywhites’ lack of intensity was criticised but Roberts believes that may well change under Conte as he makes a claim.

The Latest: Roberts drops Conte claim…

Speaking to GMS, Roberts has shared the one thing he expects Inter’s former boss to do at Hotspur Way.

“I would expect a change in training as well because what happens is, how you train, is how you play,” he explained.

“I would expect to see more running around, more urgency in the team and I was told today they’re training this afternoon, so I’m sure he will be on that training pitch, and he will bring his coaching staff with him.”

The Verdict: Exciting times…

Going by the analysis of some Serie A football experts, it’s safe to say Conte’s arrival will indeed inject some urgency into Tottenham’s training and playing style.

Italian football critic Nima Tavallaey, speaking to football.london, believes the 52-year-old is ‘demanding’ to work with and the level of training will ‘drastically increase’ – both in terms of quality and intensity.

Tavallaey also tips Spurs to become a ‘high-intensity pressing team’ who will ‘chase the life out of their opponents’ under Conte, potentially signalling an exciting new era (football.london).

Much has been made of bringing back the ‘Spurs way’ of entertaining football and these claims from both experts and Roberts could give supporters a degree of hope.

In other news: ‘Close…’ – Journalist has now dropped an exciting Tottenham transfer claim on Twitter, find out more here.