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Leeds United employee Noel Whelan has hailed Jesse Marsch’s man-management skills following his impressive start to life at Elland Road.

The Lowdown: Marsch talks

Marsch has helped the Whites pull eight points clear of safety over recent weeks after picking up three wins and a draw from the last four games.

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The American gave an in-depth interview to talkSPORT from Thorp Arch last week, revealing that his first message to the players was to remain ‘calm’ and that he looked to implement his playing philosophy and mentality on a day-to-day basis.

That has impressed Whelan, who has been full of praise for the 48-year-old when talking to Football Insider.

The Latest: Whelan reacts

Former Leeds striker Whelan, who is now an employee of the club, labelled the work Marsch has done as ‘quite incredible’ and described his approachability as ‘massive’.

“He has got up to speed pretty quickly from where he was and where the players were.

“He’s gone in and changed that around. The players have bought into it. He has probably asked the players, one-on-one, what it is they need as well.

“I think it’s really important that you find out from the players first hand so you’ve got something to go off. He’s one of these men that is open to suggestions and he’s open to the players talking to him.

“I think that’s really important because that is a massive part of the game now, man-managing. Not just a squad, but every individual player as well.

“Their needs, what they need from a training session and the rest they need as well. Rest and recuperation is just as important as the intensity that you’re putting out there on the training ground.

“He’s come in and done a really, really educated job with the players. To do it in such a short space of time is quite incredible. There’s no doubt he has got all the credentials you need to be very successful at Leeds.”

The Verdict: Good signs

Taking over from club legend Marcelo Bielsa with Leeds seriously flirting with relegation was always going to be a huge task for Marsch, however, he has rose to the challenge despite a tough first week.

His message about staying calm appears to have done the trick around the training ground, even if fans have remained anything but calm with dramatic stoppage-time winners against Norwich City and Wolves.

Those four points, gained thanks to strikes from Joe Gelhardt and Luke Ayling, could prove to be the difference come the end of the season, where hopefully, Marsch will be preparing for a first full year in charge as a Premier League manager.

In other news: ‘In the coming days’ – Fabrizio Romano drops blow for Leeds and Orta as ‘agreement’ reached. 

The Athletic’s Celtic correspondent Kieran Devlin has dropped a worrying update on summer signing Giorgos Giakoumakis.

The Lowdown: Giakoumakis’ absence

The Greece international penned a five-year deal at Parkhead on deadline day and made up for Odsonne Edouard and Leigh Griffiths’ late exits. He joined from VVV-Venlo at a cost of up to £2.5m, but the forward is yet to feature in green and white.

The 26-year-old last kicked a competitive ball back in May, and it seems as if the wait may go on for his long-anticipated Celtic debut.

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The Latest: Devlin’s claim

Devlin ran a fans’ Q&A on The Athletic prior to the 1-0 defeat to Livingston on Sunday.

He was asked by one supporter for an update on Giakoumakis, to which the journalist revealed that the forward is ‘quite far off it in training’. He said:

“Couple of dressing room sources saying he’s quite far off it in training, though naturally that could just be down to rustiness. Will have something up on him and the striker situation tomorrow, bar anything dramatic happening today.”

The Verdict: A concern

Giakoumakis joined Celtic at the beginning of the month, so he’s almost had three weeks with his new employers. During that time, Ange Postecoglou has lost Kyogo Furuhashi through injury, meaning Albian Ajeti has been called upon.

Giakoumakis’ fitness situation must be poor, otherwise you’d have thought that the manager would have placed him on the bench against either Real Betis or Livingston.

Hopefully Hoops fans will see him soon, but it doesn’t look too great for him following Devlin’s alarming revelation.

In other news: Devlin has also shared this claim from a club source on another summer signing at Parkhead

An update has emerged on Everton target Matheus Nunes, regarding how much Sporting want for his services.

What’s the talk?

According to Portuguese outlet Record (print edition, August 17, page 8), via Sportslens, Everton can land midfield target Matheus Nunes for £17m (€20m) this summer.

The Toffees are interested in a deal for the central midfielder and now know how much Sporting want in return for his services.

Gomes replacement

One player who could be on their way out of Goodison Park before the end of the window is midfielder Andre Gomes. Benfica have been touted with interest in his signature, with his future at the club said to be uncertain at this moment in time.

This suggests that there is a possibility that he could leave the club in the coming weeks, should Rafa Benitez decide to axe him from the squad. That would then open the door for a deal to sign Nunes from Sporting as a direct replacement for Gomes.

Nunes is six years younger than the Portuguese international and could offer Everton more value in the long-term, whether that be in the way of a potential sell-on in the future or by playing for the club for many years.

His former teammate, Goncalo Santos, hailed his ability with the ball at his feet as unbelievable and pointed to his immense speed as one of his biggest strengths.

He told the Liverpool Echo: “In one game, he went on a run which was about 60 metres, it was amazing! People went crazy and everybody was talking about it.

“It’s unbelievable when he has the ball at his feet. Nobody can catch him; it’s impossible because he’s too fast.

“Matheus is a box-to-box player. He’s not so strong like midfielders in the Premier League but he’s very fast. He’s very good with the ball because he is a Brazilian boy.”

This highlights some of the qualities he could bring to Goodison Park and why he could be an exciting signing, with his dribbling skills potentially being able to get fans off their seat when he gets the ball.

The 22-year-old averaged a solid SofaScore rating of 6.75 in Liga NOS for Sporting in the 2020/21 campaign. He won 56% of his total duels and lost possession 5.6 times per match. Gomes, meanwhile, averaged a dismal SofaScore rating of 6.58 in the Premier League last term. He only won 42% of his total duels and lost possession 8.4 times per match.

Whilst it is impossible to judge the difference in quality between the Premier League and Liga NOS, the statistics from Nunes suggest that there is potential there for him to come in and be an upgrade on Gomes.

Although, with time being on his side at the age of 22, there would be no immediate concern if he does not make an instant impact at the club.

Toffees director of football Marcel Brands needs to sanction the £17m swoop before the end of the window on August 31st.

AND in other news, Everton ready bid for versatile £27m-rated “revelation”, Benitez needs him at Goodison…

West Ham United enjoyed a pretty successful transfer window, signing no fewer than four new first-team players, but they were arguably just one addition away from it being a perfect ten out of ten all round.

For the next few months, at the very least, manager David Moyes will only have one senior centre-forward at his disposal after one seemingly eluded him throughout the summer.

It’s certainly a risky game to play as an injury to Michail Antonio will leave the Scotsman with a massive selection nightmare. And that does seem likely considering the 31-year-old’s injury history. He hasn’t started more than 24 league matches in any of the previous four seasons.

Whilst last season’s top goalscorer has started the campaign like a house on fire, bagging four goals and providing three assists to top the Premier League individual charts, the prospect of him ever facing time out without a back-up is an alarming concern.

In fact, it’s an issue he has been faced with since January 2021, when club-record signing Sebastien Haller’s time at the London Stadium came to a premature end following his move to Eredivisie giants Ajax.

Ultimately, Moyes is going to have to find a temporary solution in the eventuality that the worst does happen. Yes, the likes of Jarrod Bowen and Said Benrahma could step up out of position, likewise with forgotten man Andriy Yarmolenko but there are also reasons against making such decisions.

With the first duo, you’d be taking away a key player from an important, familiar and successful role, whilst the Ukraine forward is hardly up to the standards, having started just one league game in 2020/21.

Perhaps the 58-year-old coach can dip into the club’s promising youth academy to find the next Declan Rice or Ben Johnson to breakthrough into first-team stardom.

With Ademipo Odubeko out on loan at Championship outfit Huddersfield Town, the door could open for summer youth signing Thierry Nevers, who is already making an impression at Rush Green.

The 19-year-old attacker has already found the net in back-to-back matches for the U23s in the Premier League 2, including a strike against the very impressive Arsenal academy.

That adds to his nine goals in 25 appearances for the Reading youth side in the very same competition last year.

‘Quick, skilful and possessing a razor-sharp eye for goal’ is how West Ham’s official website described the teenager upon his arrival.

Academy manager Ricky Martin also added: “Thierry is someone that we’ve been following for the last couple of seasons. He’s put in some very impressive performances, and we’re really excited to introduce him to the U23s squad. We hope he will have a very successful career at the Hammers.”

Nevers could well be in line for a chance in the first-team, even if Antonio remains fit, as rotation will be key across the Premier League, Europa League and the domestic cup competitions too.

The Athletic’s Roshane Thomas has already claimed that the young gem has “been on fire for the U23s” and that he “could feature in one of the cup games if he keeps up his form.”

Moyes could well find a temporary and short-term solution to West Ham’s alarming striker situation by unleashing Nevers whenever he’s needed.

AND in other news, West Ham “monster” sees value crash by 48.5% under Moyes, Sullivan won’t be impressed…

Some Glasgow Rangers fans have been left buzzing as some news emerged on their game at home to Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.

As per the official website of the Ibrox faithful, no Light Blues supporter will be refused entry into the ground, despite it being used as a ‘test event’ by the Scottish government.

This comes after Gers were told that they must show a vaccine certificate if they wish to go into the stadium, and must be fully vaccinated and able to show proof of such, unless they are exempt.

While the restrictions are not ideal for some of the fans, the latest information about not being refused entry has at least lightened the mood of those planning to go to the match tomorrow afternoon.

Rangers fans on Hibernian news

These Light Blues buzzed as the news was shared on Twitter, with one RFC supporter even going as far as to claim that it is ‘fantastic news’:

“Yessss finally!!”

Credit: @laurenrfc96

“Ideal”

Credit: @JordanCowie72

“Fantastic news”

Credit: @sc__morton

“Great news and what a relief for anyone who was concerned about getting in on Sunday”

Credit: @HeartAndHamez

“This is amazing.”

Credit: @BrianSpanner1

“My club”

Credit: @RFCGW

In other news, find out what one pundit has heard about Connor Goldson’s contract here!

West Ham United are keen on signing Luka Jovic this month…

What’s the word?

According to Eurosport, the Irons are considering turning their attention to the Real Madrid striker, who is said to be a long-term target.

It’s claimed that Jovic is not in Carlo Ancelotti’s plans for the new season, so the La Liga giants are prepared to let him leave before the transfer deadline on August 31st.

David Moyes and co have struggled to find a new forward and are desperate to find competition for the injury-prone Michail Antonio.

However, the Hammers face competition for the 23-year-old from at least three Bundesliga sides. It remains to be seen just how much Jovic will command, with both Transfermarkt and CIES Football Observatory valuing him at £18m.

 A statement signing

Whilst the 6-foot Serbian has struggled to make much of an impact at the Bernabeu since a €60m (£50m) move in the summer of 2019, even returning to his former club Frankfurt for a loan spell last season, he would still be quite the coup for the East Londoners.

During the 2018/19 season, Jovic bagged a whopping 27 goals in 48 appearances in all competitions, via Transfermarkt, also striking up quite the partnership with Sebastien Haller, whose own exploits saw him make the switch to the London Stadium.

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His form, particularly that year, earned glowing acclaim from teammate Filip Kostic, who described the talisman as “just unbelievable” to Bundesliga.com.

Furthermore, Jovic has been likened to Radamel Falcao, largely due to his ability to use either foot, as well as his head, to find the net. It’s perhaps why another former teammate, Kevin-Prince Boateng dubbed him a complete striker.

“He has everything to become [a world-class striker]. You see that in training. He has football in his genes, he’s a street footballer, and he has a nose for goal,” Boateng said. “He scores with his head, right or left foot. He is technically good and can shoot well with both feet. He just has everything a striker needs.”

Also lauded as “fast, robust and technically savvy” by Haller, it’s easy to see why Madrid splashed the cash on the 14-cap Serbia international and you could forgive him for not living up to the expectations and pressure that comes with playing for Los Galacticos.

Hammers boss Moyes should absolutely consider a move for Jovic before the end of the month. Given his impressive goalscoring record and experience across Europe, he could be exactly the sort of signing that takes the club.

The self-proclaimed “fox in the box” is well worth a late punt to solve the Scot’s striker nightmare.

AND in other news, Imagine him and Antonio: West Ham must seal move for “special” £31.5m-rated goal machine…

According to Spanish news source Fichajes, there has been a development as Liverpool eye a January swoop to sign Villarreal attacker Arnaut Danjuma.

The Lowdown: Reds very keen…

As per multiple reports, manager Jurgen Klopp and owners Fenway Sports Group are apparently very keen on the former Bournemouth winger as a transfer target.

Indeed, reliable reporter Fabrizio Romano claims that he is a player Liverpool ‘love’ (Here We Go podcast via Rousing The Kop), while Football Insider revealed in September that the club have set their sights on signing him .

However, despite Romano claiming it could be ‘impossible’ to sign him this window (Here We Go podcast via Football Insider), Fichajes have now come out with some big news.

The Latest: Spanish source shares Danjuma update…

Liverpool boss Klopp has personally identified the Dutchman as a ‘new wish for the winter transfer market’, it is claimed.

The Reds also ‘want to close’ his signing ‘as soon as possible’ with FSG now having a ‘first offer ready’ to tempt his club into selling this month.

This offer, according to Fichajes, is said to be around €45 million (£37.5m).

The Verdict: Exciting update…

Given both star attackers Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane are now unavailable for Klopp due to their involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations, this update comes as a potentially exciting bit of news.

Title rivals Manchester City appear to be running away with the Premier League crown as they currently sit 11 points clear of third place Liverpool, meaning the club will need all the help they can get to catch up Pep Guardiola’s side.

Danjuma, who has been in scintillating form for Villarreal this season, could be a fine addition – especially considering only Salah (4) and Mane (3.1) have averaged more shots at goal per 90 than the 24-year-old (3) out of Liverpool’s squad (WhoScored).

Speaking to the Official EFL podcast (via This is Futbol), former Middlesborough defender Jonathan Woodgate called the Netherlands ace an ‘exceptional player’ and we believe he could be a brilliant signing for Klopp if they can get it done in January.

In other news: ‘Wow’, ‘I beg’, ‘Mane + 35 mil’…Liverpool fans go wild as FSG also eye ‘great signing’, find out more here.

A report has now revealed that Newcastle United attempted to sign Cole Palmer on loan ahead of the January transfer window.

The Lowdown: Big future

Coming through the ranks at Manchester City, there is no doubt that Palmer has a big future ahead of him.

He has scored goals for fun at youth level, and has since earned call-ups to the senior team, despite being just 19 years of age.

He is a player that Pep Guardiola is especially fond of, having dubbed him ‘exceptional’ and a ‘talent’ with ‘special quality’ when he gets in front of the net (talkSPORT).

However, with the array of talent that City have at their disposal, a loan move away could suit Palmer as he aims to develop quicker by playing more regular football.

The Latest: Attempt rejected

The Athletic have now revealed that the Sky Blues have ‘knocked back’ an attempt from the St. James’ Park faithful to take Palmer on loan for the rest of the season.

Representatives of the North East club ‘suggested’ the idea of a loan deal, but were told that the striker is in Guardiola’s plans for the next few months.

The Verdict: Shame

It is certainly a shame that the Tyneside outfit now look set to miss out on bringing Palmer in, given the circumstances that they currently find themselves in.

A loan move would have suited them, as if the worst case scenario happened and they were to find themselves relegated from the Premier League down to the Championship at the end of the term, then Palmer could have just been sent back to the Etihad Stadium.

Callum Wilson is by far their top scorer this campaign with six goals, and has not really been helped by his fellow strikers.

Nonetheless, Palmer has shown that he knows where the back of the net is, and could have aided Wilson in that sense to get as many goals as needed to stay up.

In other news, find out which ‘world-class’ ace NUFC are now ‘most likely’ to sign here!

Newcastle United are eyeing an ambitious transfer swoop for Bayer Leverkusen starlet Florian Wirtz.

What’s the story?

According to a report from German publication SportBild, the Magpies have joined a number of clubs in keeping a track of the young German, and that they had sent a scout to watch him during Leverkusen’s Bundesliga clash against FC Koln at the weekend.

The report does add however that the 18-year-old is unlikely to leave in the near future, and any potential fee to let him go would be very expensive to say the least.

He’s a massive Almiron upgrade

When Newcastle signed Miguel Almiron from Atlanta United a few years ago for what was then a club record fee, Magpies fans were no doubt hoping that he would come in and add some much-needed goals from midfield.

Instead, the Paraguayan has been a complete let-down with his end product, being a bundle of energy but without any calmness or conviction – in fact, in 100 games for the club, he’s scored just 13 goals and provided only five assists.

On the other hand, Wirtz has proven already in his fledgling career with Leverkusen that he is destined for the big time, already making a major impact for one of the biggest sides in German football.

This season alone has seen him net six goals and set up another six in just 12 games in all competitions, including bagging two in the Europa League and striking against Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga.

It’s no surprise then that plenty of people have delivered some rave reviews, with former teammate Aleksandar Dragovic even comparing him to a current Premier League star.

He said: “The lad has a lot of potential and if he keeps his feet on the ground, he could be another Kai Havertz.”

And, one of his current teammates, Julian Baumgartlinger, added: “He’s really emerged quickly. During the lockdown, he came to first-team training, and you could see he’s a special player even though he’s young.”

As per Whoscored, Wirtz averages significantly more shots, key passes and dribbles per game than Almiron, while his average match rating completely trounces the Newcastle man – 7.58 to a measly 6.54.

With his age and goal-scoring record already – he is the youngest scorer in German top-flight history –  there’s no questioning that Wirtz is not only a major upgrade on Almiron already, but could leave the Paraguay international in the dust in the future.

The starlet valued at a mammoth £127m by CIES could be the poster boy of this Newcastle revolution under PIF.

Meanwhile, Newcastle could get St James’ Park rocking by hiring this man…

Newcastle United are eyeing a move for Leeds United star midfielder Kalvin Phillips this summer according to a report in The Mail.

What’s the story?

The report says that the Magpies are willing to offer Phillips a substantial wage of £125k-p/w which is a colossal £87k more than he is currently on at Elland Road.

It emerges as journalist Mark Douglas reported that the English midfielder is on the shortlist for Newcastle this summer as they look to strengthen their squad greatly in order to compete at the top.

He has become a key player for Leeds and has also shone for his country with Ian Wright labelling him “phenomenal”. Previous reports state that he could cost a jaw-dropping £60m.

He can link up with Bruno

If a move for the 26-year-old proved successful, he could link up with January recruit and fellow midfielder Bruno Guimaraes in the North East.

The Brazilian midfielder arrived from Lyon earlier this year for £37.9m, with the Toon fending off interest from Arsenal to complete the first huge signing under their new ownership.

Phillips has hardly featured for Leeds this season having sustained a hamstring injury at the beginning of December which has seen him miss 19 games for the Whites.

He’s been a big miss which is further proven by their struggles this season, they are currently in a relegation battle and sit nine points clear of the drop zone.

Whether they maintain their Premier League status or not may be a determining factor as to whether Phillips decides to stay.

It’d be harsh to say that he’d be motivated to move to the Toon because of the huge wage increase on offer, but many would argue that his form has proved he deserves the pay rise.

Despite being out through injury he still ranks highly in Europe’s top five leagues when it comes to defensive statistics, ranking in the top 1% for successful pressures.

If he were to partner up with Bruno they would complement each other very well. Whilst Phillips has great defensive skills, Bruno can be a threat going forward.

He ranks in the top 4% across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for progressive passes and passes into the penalty area compared to those in his position.

Ultimately Phillips would be a great fit for Newcastle, and with the ambitions they have to compete for silverware, it would be hard to turn the opportunity down.

IN other news: NUFC plot bid to sign £31.5m-rated star who’s on “fire”, he could be their own “Salah” – opinion