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Manchester United are eyeing up a swoop for a La Liga midfielder as Erik ten Hag aims to strengthen his squad…

What’s the news?

The Old Trafford side have been linked with a move for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi according to Mundo Deportivo (via TEAMtalk) and they face competition from Barcelona for the Spaniard.

Zubimendi has recently signed a contract extension until 2027, however, his release clause will stand at €65m (£56m) for the winter transfer market.

The La Liga side will likely demand the full release clause should Ten Hag make his move, but a January move appears unlikely at the moment.

Xabi Alonso 2.0

Zubimendi has been compared to former Liverpool and Spain icon Xabi Alonso, a player who rose to stardom in the Premier League and across Europe.

Indeed, the Sociedad midfielder went as far as to describe him as someone he looks up to: “He’s an idol, a role model, so I’m delighted that he says nice things about me.” Said the midfielder in an interview with Sid Lowe.

Described as a “special” player by Lowe, it’s clear the two share similar traits.

For starters, both are Spanish and they began their careers in the Real Sociedad academy, with Alonso even coaching the youngster during his stint in charge of the B team.

On the pitch, Zubimendi also plays like his idol, controlling the game while also contributing heavily defensively to allow others to flourish.

Last season, the 23-year-old made 1.4 tackles, 1.4 interceptions, and 1.3 clearances per match, while also proving he can chip in with some goal contributions too by scoring twice and adding an assist.

Zubimendi has also been capped for Spain, however, he missed out on their World Cup squad. This could be a blessing in disguise, motivating him towards greater success with the national side in the future.

Journalist Josh Bunting described the midfielder as Real Sociedad’s “key element” and he is crucial in how they play, while also playing an integral part in the club winning the Copa del Rey back in 2020.

Although a January transfer may seem unrealistic, a move in the summer could be on the cards and Zubimendi certainly has the potential to have the same impact on English football that Alonso did nearly 20 years ago when he joined Liverpool.

Newcastle United have been urged to pursue an upgrade on left-back options Matt Targett and Dan Burn amidst links to Stuttgart’s Croatian full-back Borna Sosa.

The Lowdown: Targett’s lack of minutes

Since his move from Aston Villa was made permanent, Targett has failed to set Tyneside alight, but it’s important to note that this is more down to Eddie Howe’s tactical tweak which has seen the side push on to become Champions League contenders.

Targett is more of an attacking option, but with Howe looking to implement an asymmetrical full-back system, Trippier is the go-to attacking option, so naturally a more defensive full-back will be utilised at left-back to create a makeshift back-three in possession.

This is why Dan Burn seems to be preferred by Howe as a natural centre-back by trade, and acts as the enabler for his side to progress forward with numerical superiority.

Targett’s lack of minutes are more related to tactical approach over anything else.

The Latest: Newcastle urged to sign left-back

As per Football Insider, pundit Noel Whelan has claimed Newcastle United should move for a more attacking outlet at left-back, with the Magpies needing to mirror the talents that World Cup star Kieran Trippier brings.

Amidst links to Sosa, Whelan believes an improvement to the left-back position is a must.

Asked by Football Insider as to whether Newcastle should prioritise a left-back in January, Whelan said:

“Yeah, for sure.

“That’s one area of the pitch they’ll look at and want to make a bit stronger.

“They’ve got Trippier on the other side, who is a top-quality, international player.

“Dan Burn isn’t a natural option at left-back. Matt Targett has been consistent, but he hasn’t set the world alight.

“They need a box-to-box, more attacking full-back.

“If you’re Newcastle and sitting third in the league, you’ve got to always be in the market for someone like Sosa who can be an upgrade on Targett or Burn.”

The Verdict: A luxury, but not needed

It’s tough to say that Newcastle need a more attacking left-back when their defensive record is as pristine as it currently is.
The Magpies top the charts when it comes to fewest goals conceded, and this is largely down to their ability to cope with opposition counter attacks through positioning and superiority in the backline.
Burn plays a key role as a makeshift left centre-back in possession for the side, and it would be wrong to change this approach whilst they are currently on top.
That being said, as Howe and his side become more dominant, they may consider a 2-3-5 system in possession like Manchester City. This is where Sosa could shine.
But, as of right now, the Croatian, who is at the World Cup, is not needed.

Chelsea will throw every inch of their transfer pull into striking a deal for Brazilian wonderkid Adriano, with the 16-year-old sensation earning plaudits for his tenacity, physical attributes and excellent strike with his left foot.

And with Brazilian World Cup star Richarlison waxing lyrical about the player, it’s clear to see why Blues owner Todd Boehly is so enticed by the prospect of drawing the starlet to Stamford Bridge.

Richarlison, as quoted by reputable transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, said: “Trust me, I can say that Endrick is impressive, he’s very strong and talented. He reminds me of Adriano. I watched him playing with Brazil and Palmeiras; I think in two years, he’ll arrive in Europe.”

Romano also recently confirmed to GIVEMESPORT that Chelsea were firmly in the running for the ace, saying: “The three clubs are fighting and Chelsea are in the race. They want to try and they want to discuss.

“Palmeiras want €60m. That is the value of the release clause, but they could accept a different kind of structure of the deal with the package, including add-ons and bonuses. Remember the player would be joining in 2024, so it’s a long-term project around Endrick and not a short-term project, but Chelsea are there.”

Swift action needed

With Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid both gunning for the Brazilian whizkid, Chelsea will need to present an arresting deal in order to prevent the other juggernauts from acquiring his name, with a £52m fee required.

And The Sun report that the player netted an incredible 165 goals in 169 youth appearances at the Palmeiras academy, with Chelsea hoping that compatriot Thiago Silva can aid the club in their pursuit of a talented ace who could dominate the game across the next two decades.

As per Transfermarkt, the “phenomenon” – as heralded by Gabriel Jesus – has netted three goals across his first seven professional appearances, also grabbing one assist, demonstrating an aptitude for finding the net that stretched beyond his tender age.

Achieving an average of 2.0 shots per match, with 1.4 on target, and recording a pass accuracy of 73% in the Brazilian Serie A despite his high-octane role in the Palmeiras team, Endrick is demonstrating that he is a robust and dogged talent that will pepper opposing defences with his relentless style, as per Sofascore.

He has also only lost possession an average of 3.4 times per match, alluding to a knack for precise timing and a footballing intellect that permits him to choose when to pass and when to let his energetic aura carry him down the pitch.

£52m might appear somewhat steep, but Chelsea should not hesitate for one second in their pursuit of Endrick. There are some players that enter the scene and exhibit prowess beyond their years, and Endrick encapsulates that mould.

Chelsea could indeed unearth the regeneration of Adriano, and have a leading talisman to drive them to riches across the next few years.

Following on from what was a poor Nations League campaign as England’s preparations for the first ever winter World Cup out in Qatar continued, manager Gareth Southgate’s side sort of got their act together as we went into the Group Stage battles.

Having been drawn in Group B in our search to progress through to the knockout stage of the tournament, England opened with a 6-2 victory over Iran, but the second clash against the United States was an incredibly dull affair, and in playing out a scoreless bore draw, England knew they absolutely had to beat Wales in the home nations clash to qualify through. Eventually we took a 3-0 victory to do just that, and gave ourselves a Round of 16 tie against African champions Senegal where we saw our world cup odds increase.

Although former Liverpool striker Sadio Mane had been ruled out with injury, Senegal would be a completely different type of test, but Southgate watched his side notch up a reasonably comfortable 3-0 victory again with goals coming from Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka.

Then the fun really began, as England were drawn against reining World Cup holders France at the Quarter Final stage of the competition.

Confidence was certainly high ahead of the game and a number of Three Lions fans believed it was again ‘Coming Home’ and few would doubt that England were the better side on the night at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor. Sadly for Southgate and the team, being the better side over 90 minutes does not guarantee victory – 16 efforts overall with eight on target gave England absolutely nothing – yet France’s own eight shots with five on target rewarded them with goals in the 17th and 78th minutes of the game.

It is England though, and penalties predictably had to apply at some stage. Tottenham Hotspur striker and England skipper, Harry Kane, had two chances to convert from the spot and both opportunities came when the French had their small advantage.

The 29 year old’s first opportunity came in the 54th minute and he beat team mate Hugo Lloris to tie matters up. Sadly the second attempt was not so clinical and when his next chance from the spot came, with six minutes left in the game, he could not convert and blazed his attempt over the bar.

Making the second effort even more disappointing was the fact that Kane had already equalled Wayne Rooney’s record of 53 goals, and as well as getting us back in the game, it was also his chance to make history and put himself into the record books.

Southgate was understandably down after the final whistle, telling the media.

“The performance did deserve more but of course goals are decisive. I’ve just said to the players they couldn’t have given any more, they played really well against a top team. It is fine margins. The way they have progressed as a team through the tournament has been marvellous.”

Kane’s missed obviously featured in the questioning.

“We win and lose as a team, we let a couple of goals in and missed a few chances. He’s been incredible for us and reliable in those situations, we wouldn’t be here now if it wasn’t for him.”

Now we see what the future holds for Southgate as the frustration and disappointment passes.

Photo by Unsplash

West Ham United have identified Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo as a potential replacement for Declan Rice, according to a new report.

The Lowdown: Rice’s future

While Rice is contracted until the summer of 2024, with West Ham also possessing an option to extend his deal by an extra year, his future at the London Stadium is looking uncertain amid interest from a whole host of other Premier League clubs.

In the summer, the Englishman rejected an eight-year-deal totalling £83m, while he recently spoke of his desire to win trophies and compete in the Champions League, which does not seem likely to happen with the Hammers at this moment in time.

As such, David Moyes and the recruitment team have started to identify suitable long-term replacements, and Caicedo is now emerging as a potential signing if Rice decides to leave the club in the near future.

The Latest: Caicedo considered

According to the Daily Mail, Brighton are now reaching a point where they realise they might have to sell the Ecuadorian, in light of his fantastic performances for both club and country.

The Seagulls have placed a price tag of £60m on the central-midfielder, a figure that is deemed unlikely to deter other potential suitors Newcastle United, while West Ham are also named as an interested party, with the aim of securing themselves a long-term replacement for Rice.

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The Verdict: Get it done?

No West Ham fan wants to see the Englishman exit the London Stadium, but if he must do so, then Caicedo would be the next best thing, given his level of ability at such a young age.

The 21-year-old is a staple in the Brighton midfield, making 14 appearances so far this season, and he has also already got 27 international caps to his name, having recently competed at the World Cup.

The ‘terrific athlete’, as lauded by South American football expert Tim Vickery, has some improvement to make with his pass completion, having averaged a rate of 85.5% over the past year, a little shy of the 90.2% figure attained by Rice, but he is showing some very promising signs in a defensive sense.

An average of 2.79 tackles and 1.61 blocks per 90 in the same timeframe places him in the 84th and 83rd percentile respectively, highlighting that he would be more than suited to taking on the defensive responsibilities in this West Ham team.

Newcastle United moved up to second in the Premier League table with victory over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Monday afternoon, with Eddie Howe’s men having picked up where they left off prior to the World Cup break.

Having overcome Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup last week, the Magpies produced another commanding display to ruthlessly dispatch the Midlands outfit on their own turf, with goals from Chris Wood and Miguel Almiron having all but sealed the win inside seven minutes.

That commanding lead was then extended just after the half-hour mark as the resurgent Joelinton got in on the act with a free header inside the box, with it having proven a rather routine return to top-flight action for the Tynesiders in truth.

While there may have been many standout performances on the day – including the aforementioned Almiron, who now has eight goals from his last nine league games – arguably the most impressive performer was that man, Kieran Trippier, with the 32-year-old having again been instrumental from his full-back berth.

The England international had been lauded by journalist Matty Hewitt for his “incredible” delivery after starring against the Cherries and that quality was again on show yesterday, with the experienced right-back having teed up Joelinton with an inch-perfect corner to wrap up the points.

That impact was also evidenced by the fact that the former Atletico Madrid man registered four key passes against Brendan Rodgers’ side, while posing a persistent threat down the right flank after completing five of his nine crosses.

Although the 40-cap gem did lose possession on 24 occasions, that was arguably a marker of his desire to try and make things happen for his side in the final third, having also recorded 27 passes and completed two of his three dribbles.

Equally, the one-time Tottenham Hotspur star was just as impressive when carrying out his defensive duties after winning nine of his 13 total duels on the day, including 100% of his aerial duels.

That “unbelievable” showing – as described by Statman Dave – unsurprisingly saw the ever-reliable figure record a stunning 8.3 match rating, as per Sofascore, with that by far the highest figure for any player on either side.

Such brilliance at both ends of the pitch ensured that Trippier was a constant ‘thorn’ in the side of Leicester – as per the Chronicle’s Lee Ryder – with the £100k-per-week man only serving to bolster his already impressive reputation as a result.

Manchester City return to Premier League action on Wednesday evening as they take on Leeds United at Elland Road, and Pep Guardiola should unleash Jack Grealish.

The Citizens made a winning start to life after the World Cup last week as they defeated Liverpool 3-2 in the Carabao Cup but now the focus will be fully on keeping their title hopes alive against Jesse Marsch’s side tonight.

Arsenal moved eight points clear of Guardiola’s side with their 3-1 win over West Ham on Boxing Day, while Newcastle United have also moved ahead of City into second place, so three points are a must at Elland Road against a struggling Leeds side.

Last season saw City completely dominate against a defensively woeful Leeds side, as they cruised to a 7-0 win at the Etihad, with Grealish scoring a rare Premier League goal for the Citizens and enjoying one of his best performances since his £100m switch from Aston Villa.

After scoring with a great header in the first half, the England international was described as a “constant threat” by Manchester Evening News’ live blog.

They also wrote: “Grealish has come in for a lot of stick in recent weeks but he looks on it this evening. His goal, the end of a 10-game drought, is sure to bring a confidence boost. He has just gone past a defender with ease and played a great ball into the box, but no one was there to take advantage.”

Since joining the club in the summer of 2021, the 27-year-old has managed just seven goals and four assists in all competitions, with just one goal and no assists to his name so far this campaign.

It is clear that he needs a confidence boost and must start contributing more in attack, otherwise, he risks being labelled a flop and wasting his chance at the Etihad.

However, only Joao Cancelo has contributed more dribbles per game in City’s squad this season, which suggests that Grealish could be extremely dangerous if he can be left one-on-one against Leeds’ defence on Wednesday.

Guardiola has emphasised that it is not all about goals and assists for Grealish, as he waxed lyrical about the former Villa man’s overall performance in a 1-1 draw with Southampton last season.

He said: “The best game he has played since he has been with us, by far. This was an exceptional performance. He played really, really well. I’m talking about when he has the ball, what he has to do. In a team that is so tight, they defend so narrow, it is not easy. He played exceptionally.”

After such an impressive display against the Yorkshire outfit last season, Guardiola must consider handing him a rare start on Wednesday night, in the hope that he can deliver again against a struggling defence, and head into the new year in a more confident mood.

BBC pundit Chris Sutton has warned that Antonio Conte has to be careful with his management style after he appeared to question the quality of the Tottenham Hotspur players.

What’s the latest?

In their last outing, Spurs slumped to a rather disappointing 2-0 home defeat against Aston Villa, courtesy of goals from Emi Buendia and Douglas Luiz.
This follows on from a 2-2 away draw against Brentford, meaning the club are winless since the return of the Premier League following the World Cup.
Evidently, Conte has been left frustrated by these performances and after the Villa loss, he gave an extraordinary press conference where he claimed that his transfers hadn’t been as good as some rivals saying (via football.london): “You only have a little gun compared to their bazooka.”

While speaking about it all on BBC Radio Show 606, Sutton warned the Italian about his comments, saying: “He was saying, ‘We need bazookas’ and sort of questioning the quality of player within the dressing room.

“I think that’s a very, very dangerous route to go down.”

Trouble brewing…

It’s no secret that Conte wasn’t necessarily happy with all of Spurs’ summer business. After all, when Djed Spence arrived the Italian made it clear that this was a club purchase as opposed to something he personally wanted.

Even so, Tottenham did still bring in the likes of Richarlison, Ivan Perisic, Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski since the manager took over last November.

With that in mind, it’s not as if the club have refused to add quality to their depths or have been stingy with their spending and so Conte must take some responsibility if he wants the team to improve.

All in all, things don’t seem to be looking too great in that part north London right now and the club boss could risk isolating some of his players if he makes any more disparaging comments.

Liverpool’s most salient area for reinforcing on the transfer front is unequivocally the centre of the park, but that does not mean the club won’t target the offensive front if the right, enticing opportunity comes along.

And according to reports stemming from Italy (via the Liverpool Echo), MLS outfit Chicago Fire’s prodigious forward talent Jhon Duran has caught the attention of Reds boss Jurgen Klopp, who is making a ‘concrete’ move for the player with the January market recently swinging its doors open.

The teenager has scarcely tasted senior action, but has already impressed in his first year with a clinical edge and fearsome physicality that could pave the foundation for an exemplary career as a striking phenomenon.

A fee of roughly $21m (£17.5m), could be enough to prise him away from Fire’s clutches, as per Calciomercato, and although the asking price might appear steep for an unknown commodity on European soil, his dynamic skill set would be a welcome tool for any top outfit chasing success…

Calciomercato reporter Raffaele Amato tweeted this about the situation: “Liverpool are also making concrete moves for Duran, but the current offer is lower than Benfica’s. The biggest pitfall for the Portuguese is represented by Aston Villa. Chicago are aiming to collect 20 million euros.”

Next Suarez

At only 19-years-old, Duran has bagged eight goals and five assists from only 14 starts across the 2022 MLS campaign in a breakthrough year where the Colombian phenom has emerged onto the American scene in resounding fashion.

The three-cap gem was at the centre of heaped praise from talent scout Jacek Kulig when he was still only 18-years-old, regarded as a “complete” centre-forward, “fast, powerful & confident with the ball at his feet”, and “aggressive & determined in the penalty area.”

His all-encompassing aura on the pitch, despite his tender age, could pay dividends for Klopp as he looks to turn the page on a new chapter at Anfield, and bring the club a talisman for the coming years that could emulate the success of coveted centre-forward Luis Suarez, someone who like Duran, was very much an aggressive and complete attacker.

Suarez signed for the Reds from AFC Ajax in 2012 for a fee of £22.7m, and he went on to forge one of the most devastating careers in Premier League history, captivating fans and pundits alike with his blistering arsenal and innate knack to find the back of the net from every distance and angle, scoring 69 goals and 39 assists over just 110 Premier League outings.

The “wonderkid” – as heralded by Tom Bogert – is still very much untested on the biggest stage, but he certainly holds the ingredients to serve up a concoction of striking excellence, and with a cutting edge already apparent from his little time spent in the MLS, he could nurture his precocious abilities at one of the world’s most prominent outfits.

His impressive Sofascore rating of 6.91 is a testament to his tenacity and all-encompassing approach to his game, and with 2.2 shots per match, his peppering output is certainly reminiscent to a former phenom in Liverpool red who took the nation by storm.

Tottenham Hotspur are now facing European competition in their bid to sign Pedro Porro from Sporting CP this month…

What’s the word?

According to Portuguese newspaper Record (via Sport Witness), the north Londoners’ interest in the Spanish wing-back has triggered LaLiga giants FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid to enter the fray.

It’s already well-known that the 23-year-old dynamo will not leave Lisbon unless his €45m (£40m) release clause is paid and it’s thought that Spurs are evaluating a proposal that fits the Primeira Liga outfit’s demands.

But now Diego Simeone and Xavi could make it hard for Antonio Conte to land his man before the deadline on January 31st.

£60m disaster

If sporting director Fabio Paratici were to offer a suitable package to Sporting for the exciting wing-back, then he could well finally atone for the club’s grave mistakes in the transfer market, where around £60m has been blown on three players that aren’t fancied by the manager.

Matt Doherty (£15m) and Emerson Royal (£26m) were signed before his arrival, whilst Djed Spence (£20m) joined in the summer and it has become increasingly clear that Conte isn’t encouraged by any of them.

The latter is yet to start a single match under the Italian head coach, whilst he has regularly switched between the two latter flops, with The Times reporting just a few months into his tenure that he was unconvinced by the pair of them.

It’s a very important role in Conte’s system as not only does the wing-back defend but he’s a main outlet for creativity too, which is why Porro could be the ultimate fix.

Across all competitions this campaign, the former Manchester City gem has provided ten assists, as well as two goals, via Transfermarkt.

Such attacking exploits also see him rank within the top 1% of all wing-backs across Europe’s ‘next eight’ divisions for total shots, assists and shot-creating actions – making him in a league of his own.

Porro can also defend too, having averaged 1.6 tackles per game in the Portuguese top-flight – where he has been Ruben Amorim’s second-best performer – and 2.6 tackles per game in the Champions League – where he is currently the top-performer – this season, per WhoScored.

Once described as a “special talent” and the “best right-back in Portugal” by journalist Zach Lowry, and “perfect for Antonio Conte’s football” by Fabrizio Romano, it’s clear that Paratici could finally find the right sort of player and atone for the club’s £60m blunder on a trio of unsuitable flops.

Therefore, Spurs must make this “statement” signing – in the words of pundit Tam McManus – before it’s too late, given the now likely competition.

AND in other news, Spence 2.0: Spurs “looking at” £12m move for “unbelievable” teen, Conte could ruin him…