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Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford's future at Elland Road is up in the air at the moment, and there has been a key update regarding it.

Is Patrick Bamford going to leave Leeds?

There was a point when the 29-year-old was one of the first names on the team sheet at Elland Road, scoring 17 Premier League goals in the 2020/21 season. He was arguably one of the most in-form attacking players in the country, but he has dropped off significantly since then.

A string of injury problems have stunted Bamford's growth, limiting him to only 18 starts out of 38 in the league last season, and he has increasingly felt like an expendable figure.

He is yet to make a competitive appearance in 2023/24, with Joel Piroe arriving as an exciting signing from Swansea City while Bamford has been out with another injury he sustained in pre season.

Now, a key update has emerged regarding Bamford's future with the Whites – one that suggests that his time at Elland Road could come to an end sooner rather than later.

What's the latest on Patrick Bamford's Leeds future?

According to Football League Paper journalist Chris Dunlavy [via MOT Leeds News], Bamford could well leave Leeds in the January transfer window, with the 49ers Enterprises possibly open to the idea of selling him, highlighting his big £30,000-a-week wage.

"Now the club has a new striker in Joel Piroe, the question must be asked – does Bamford have a future at Elland Road? Piroe is the undisputed first choice. Not only did the Dutchman cost £10m from Swansea, he has scored 44 Championship goals in two seasons. That cannot be ignored.

"More to the point, Bamford signed a £70,000-a-week [contract] that does not expire until 2026. Financially, it makes very little sense to keep a £30,000-a-week substitute on your balance sheet, and it would be highly surprising if Leeds did not actively invite offers in January."

In truth, it was almost a surprise that Bamford wasn't sold during the summer transfer window, considering how much he has struggled to make an impact in recent times, both because of injuries and ineffective performances – scoring just four times last season.

Read the latest Leeds transfer news HERE…

Having the Englishman still in the squad certainly isn't a bad thing, considering he possesses quality when he is on top of his game – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp once called him "exceptional" during his aforementioned run of good form a couple of years ago – but if a chance to sell him in January arises, Leeds could be wise to accept an offer for his services.

Bamford's current Whites contract doesn't expire until the summer of 2026, meaning they are still in a fairly strong bargaining position to demand good money for his signature, and it is unlikely that he will reach his former heights again, as his 30th birthday approaches later this year.

Since the takeover by a consortium of the Saudi Public Investment Fund, Newcastle United – to their credit – have recruited incredibly shrewdly – welcoming players who played a large part in guiding Eddie Howe's side to a top four finish in the Premier League last season.

Now that they have built those Champions League foundations, however, it is important to keep hold of them, amid likely interest from elsewhere, should a player perform particularly well for the club.

This means that the Magpies would be wise to start offering new contracts to those in the squad who make the biggest difference, which they have already reportedly done when it comes to Bruno Guimaraes, with a deal that could see the new owners go against their own policy.

What's the latest on Bruno Guimaraes' contract?

Even though the midfielder's current contract isn't coming to an end until the summer of 2026, Newcastle are reportedly wasting no time in tying Guimaraes down to a new deal, clearly keen to cement his future at the club. However, it is not a deal that you would usually associate the Magpies' current owners with making.

According to Ben Jacobs, they could go against one of their own policies by including a release clause at the player's request. He told Caught Offside: "Bruno Guimaraes is really close to signing a new Newcastle contract extension that could keep him at the club until 2028. With the European window shut, real progress was made last week.

“Newcastle have always been calm about the situation because Guimaraes is under contract until 2026 as it stands. And Chelsea and Liverpool were both told when they enquired that the Brazilian is not for sale.

“The expectation is that a new deal could have a release clause in it, but interestingly this would go against Newcastle’s policy since PIF took majority control of the club in October 2021.

"Guimaraes will also have to decide if it’s better to agree to one. In theory it would give him wiggle room, but any clause would be in excess of £100m and informed by the packages agreed this summer for both Declan Rice (£105m) and Moises Caicedo (£115m).

“Guimaraes is currently very happy at Newcastle. Although he said during preseason there was some 'doubt' about his contract situation, the Brazilian has not been seeking a move away. This would only change if Newcastle fail to build on last season and ultimately get regular European football.”

How has Bruno Guimaraes performed this season?

As a collective, Newcastle have been fairly poor so far this season, losing three of their four games, which came against Manchester City, Liverpool, and Brighton & Hove Albion. Individually speaking, though, Guimaraes has once again been one of the standouts.

According to FBref, the Brazilian has already made 30 progressive passes this season, as well as six progressive carries. Meanwhile, he's been more than good enough defensively, too, making nine tackles and three blocks.

As Newcastle's fixtures's begin to get easier, those numbers will only increase, and show a player once again playing at the top of his game for the Magpies.

Manchester United’s rich and storied history of overpaying significantly for players who failed to live up to expectations doesn’t appear to be going away.

Although Erik ten Hag has signed a few stars who could form the backbone of the team for the next few seasons, notably Andre Onana, Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund, but extravagant fees have also been spent on certain arrivals who have yet to shine.

Antony cost the Red Devils £86m in the summer of 2022 from Ajax and has since scored just eight times, hardly the return such a significant investment promised.

Mason Mount was signed this summer for £60m, yet he hasn’t exactly lit up Old Trafford as yet as he sits on the treatment table, and while these two players have time on their side, the club overpaid for them, without a shadow of a doubt.

Unfortunately, this has been happening at the Red Devils since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 under a succession of managers who tried to emulate the achievements of the great man in the United hot seat.

Indeed, it was under Jose Mourinho that the club arguably wasted the most money, with players such as Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku underachieving massively during their stints in Manchester.

It was perhaps the signing of Alexis Sanchez which proved to be one of Mourinho’s worst during his spell as manager, especially considering the hype surrounding his move.

How much did Manchester United sign Alexis Sanchez for?

The Old Trafford side shelled out £30m to sign the former Barcelona star from the Gunners during the 2018 January transfer window.

Mourinho heaped praise on him during his arrival, saying: "Alexis is one of the best attacking players in the world and he will complete our very young and talented group of attacking players.

"He will bring his ambition, drive and personality – qualities that make a Manchester United player."

His record in the Premier League had been wonderful under Arsene Wenger, scoring 60 goals in the top flight across just three and half seasons, while netting 80 goals and grabbing 65 assists overall, suggesting the £30m could turn into a bargain.

These attacking qualities combined with his prior experience in England surely meant the Chilean would become a huge success in Manchester. How wrong could it go?

What happened to Alexis Sanchez?

Despite arriving with much fanfare at United that winter, Sanchez had been struggling for Arsenal during the opening months of the 2017/18 campaign, even being dubbed “woeful” by journalist John Cross mere weeks before moving north.

He had netted just eight times during the opening half of that season, yet a fresh start was perhaps required for him to hit the heights during his first three years in London.

Sanchez ended up scoring three goals and registering five assists across just 16 games in the Premier League and FA Cup, which was a solid if unspectacular start to his United career and surely this would be used as a base from which to build on during the following term.

It proved to be a false dawn, as the versatile forward managed to score twice across 27 matches, a terrible return for a player of his quality and there were now huge question marks over his signing.

The Chilean started only nine league matches that campaign, while averaging just 0.5 shots on target per game, creating only six big chances and succeeding with 0.7 dribble attempts during his spell on the pitch.

Across the whole United squad for these attacking metrics, he ranked tenth, fifth and sixth, hardly the type of form which was going to spearhead the club to glory or repay the £30m fee which was shelled out to lure him to the club 18 months prior.

Having scored just five goals for United, he cost them a staggering £6m per effort just on the fee alone. Evidently, this was a gigantic waste of money during a time when they were struggling to achieve success.

Where is Alexis Sanchez now?

His valuation, as per Football Transfers stood at €47.3m (£41m) upon his arrival at the Red Devils in 2018, yet when he left to join Inter Milan on a free transfer – following a season-long loan during the 2019/20 campaign – his value had dropped rapidly, sitting at just €13.6m (£12m), representing a fall of £29m.

His spell in Italy was far more productive than the previous few years spent in England as he ended up scoring 20 goals and grabbing 23 assists for Inter, helping them win the Serie A title during the 2020/21 campaign.

Across the whole Inter squad that term, Sanchez ranked third for shots on target per game (0.5), seventh for big chances created (eight) and fourth for key passes per game (1.2), showing a pleasant return to form on the continent and giving Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a taste of what he was missing.

He spent a season in France with Marseille as he continued to prove that there is still life in the old dog yet, finishing the 2022/23 campaign with 18 goals and three assists in all competitions which led to him joining Inter yet again during the summer transfer window.

These statistics go to show that there was an issue at United, rather than with Sanchez as his form before and after his spell at the club has allowed him to demonstrate his vast attacking abilities.

There is no doubt he flopped in Manchester, but with a more stable environment and more regular game time, could Sanchez have actually succeeded?

Who knows, but it was once again a waste of money by Mourinho, who in his bid to return United to their glory years, ended up splurging case left right and centre on a collection of players who simply weren’t up to the task.

Ten Hag will have taken note of his predecessors' mistakes in charge of the 13-time Premier League winners, yet with the aforementioned fees for Antony and Mount big talking points, it’s evident that the club still have a penchant for spending lavish fees on players who are potentially worth a lot less.

On Saturday evening it felt like an irremovable force was sent down from upon high to plague Liverpool's chances of moving top of the Premier League.

Such an eventuality would have capped off nicely this rejuvenation of Jurgen Klopp's, who has remoulded his midfield and once again crafted a Reds side that looks capable of challenging for elite honours.

However, when you're forced to play with nine men and then be subjected to one of the most mind-boggling VAR calls you will ever see, you are unlikely to win games of football.

Curtis Jones' aggressive challenge early doors saw red and then Diogo Jota was also sent for an early bath after twice fouling Destiny Udogie in the space of a few minutes.

However, the real injustice was at the hands of the officials. Luis Diaz raced through in the first half before firing home a lovely finish from inside the penalty area.

Everyone could see it was onside, yet in remarkable circumstances, it was chalked off. The PGMOL, for what felt like the 1000th time in the last year were forced to apologise for a major human error. The circumstances surrounding why it was given are incomprehensible.

To make matters worse, they will now be without two of their forward's services. Jota, of course, will be suspended, but Cody Gakpo was also forced off with an injury immediately after finding the net with a powerful close-range drive. According to his manager, he is now in a brace and limping.

Who could replace Gakpo and Jota?

The obvious replacement in the number 9 role will likely be that of Darwin Nunez. The Uruguayan has started just twice in the Premier League this term but will likely now get his chance to do his thing.

An effervescent character in the forward line, the 24-year-old has already found the net three times this season and is simply bursting at the thought of being given an extended run in the side. Fortunately, that could well be forthcoming.

However, another player who could get a rare opportunity is that of Ben Doak.

The teenager has regularly been seen in the first-team picture this term, earning a start in the Europa League against LASK.

How good is Ben Doak?

That centre-forward berth is unlikely to be his, but a vacancy could well open up on the wings. Moving Salah would be foolish but Diaz's place isn't certain and with games coming up thick and fast, rotation will be needed. Without Gakpo and Jota, that is tricky.

Doak already has plenty of senior football under his belt. He made his first-team debut for Celtic at 16 before moving to Anfield and is now gaining semi-regular opportunities in Jurgen Klopp's first team.

Now 17, he has appeared as a substitute once in the Premier League this term but wasn't even in the matchday squad for the trip to Spurs. Damning indeed, but his chance is surely now just around the corner.

A "special" talent, as dubbed by Klopp, he is yet to earn a start in the league for Liverpool, but his radiant qualities prove he deserves a go.

A wonderful ball-carrier, Virgil van Dijk perhaps sums up his qualities best: "He’s very exciting, very direct, one-on-one. I call him a Tasmanian Devil with the way he is buzzing around, he’s just so quick. If his decision-making gets better – and he has all the time in the world for that – then he could definitely be one for the future."

One for the future? Yes. But one for the here and now? Blows to both the availabilities of Jota and Gakpo means we could well be about to find out.

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have been tipped to make the funds available that will allow Wrexham to remain competitive in League One.

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• Red Dragons soared out of National League
• Are now flying high in League Two
• Hollywood stars funding thrilling adventure

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Hollywood superstars have enjoyed a dream ride since completing a takeover of the Welsh outfit in 2021. A record-breaking National League title triumph returned the club to the EFL ranks, with Phil Parkinson’s side now riding high in League Two.

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  WHAT JORDAN SAID ABOUT WREXHAM

  Questions have been asked of whether Reynolds and McElhenney have the stomach and money for a third-tier fight, with former Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan telling : “Let’s see how that plays out if they manage to get promoted out of League Two this season into League One where the costs go up and everything goes up exponentially. Let’s see how much appetite they’ve got because we know this is a project that’s being funded by an underpinning TV deal and when it becomes that the TV deal only goes so far, you’ve got to write out proper cheques with due respect to the scale of worth they’ve got, we’ll see how much ambition and how much enthusiasm they’ve got for it. Right now, what they've done is turned an ailing Welsh football club into something people are talking about. The other fella [McElhenney], well he carries his bag but Ryan Reynolds is the audience grabber. Profile carries you so far, in the end you’ve got to know what you’re doing and you’ve got to be prepared to put your hands in your pockets.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Reynolds and McElhenney have not shied away from any challenge so far, and former Wrexham striker Lee Trundle has told the podcast when asked if an upward trajectory can be maintained in League One: “I don't think it does sound silly, because when I joined Swansea, we were still at the Vetch Field. If you look at Wrexham, then they’ve probably got a better backing than Swansea had. I said at the start of the season that they would get promoted again this year. I don't think they’re a League Two team, if you look at the players that they've got and how the club's run. I definitely think that they can bounce up again and get themselves into League One and then have another push. As the football club grows and goes up the leagues, the fan base will too. The way Ryan and Rob do things, especially on the social media side, I think it’s excellent.”

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  WHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?

  Wrexham have 11 games left this season in which to collect enough points that will secure a top-three finish and automatic promotion. They will be aware that the playing field starts to level out in League One, with even more work required on and off the pitch in a bid to hit the ultimate Premier League end goal.

Arsenal recorded a truly famous victory on Sunday, as a raucous Emirates played host to a spirited 1-0 win over title rivals Manchester City.

Having failed to defeat Pep Guardiola's side in the Premier League since 2015, it marked a monumental task to overcome, but one which was massively aided by William Saliba's work in shackling Erling Haaland.

How did William Saliba play vs Man City?

Many fans attribute the Gunners' late collapse in the title race last season to the absence of the Frenchman, who suffered a back injury in March that he could not shake off. He would miss the following four months of action and the Citizens would win the league by just five points.

Clearly incensed by how that campaign ended, the 22-year-old titan was a man possessed, remaining defensively dominant whilst retaining his ease on the ball that helped calm down his side in what was a frantic clash.

In fact, the youngster would win 100% of the duels he competed in, and maintained an astronomical 99% pass accuracy, losing possession only once, via Sofascore.

Such a faultless display was always bound to draw accolades, but he was not alone in the pursuit of such a massive win in their ambitions to challenge for elite honours. Ben White was another who shone, not just for his shared solidity, but for the attacking impetus he injected down the right flank.

How did Ben White play vs Man City?

Earning a 7.7 Sofascore rating, the joint-highest of anyone on the pitch, the former Brighton and Hove Albion centre-back's exemplary performance has perhaps gone under the radar in such a mammoth match in which there were so many talking points.

With Saliba's perfection and Gabriel Martinelli's late winner, there was always bound to be some things lost in the crowd.

However, with 70 touches and an 87% pass accuracy, it marked another influential and economical display from the four-cap stalwart, who added two key passes and a sole successful dribble to such a fine showing, via Sofascore.

And yet, it was his work in shackling first Phil Foden, and later Jeremy Doku, that has earned praise, the latter in particular. It is actually a testament to White's unmatched performance that the Belgian trickster was only successful with one of the five dribbles he attempted.

Meanwhile, the 26-year-old right-back would record three tackles, two clearances, won four of his five ground duels and earned huge praise from content creator and writer Connor Humm: "Ben White being unable to get into the England squad is so funny. He’s comfortably clear of everyone except for Kyle Walker. Your loss, Gareth!"

This would be a notion echoed by journalist Dan Kilpatrick, who wrote the following summation after handing the £120k-per-week hero an 8/10 rating: "Overlapped well down the right flank and was excellent defensively."

In a game where they kept such a plethora of attacking talent silent, the defence was bound to emerge as those most deserving of praise. It seems that White continues to go from strength to strength at full-back, and having finally beaten their wretched rivals, how far they can go this campaign is a prospect that will have Arteta quietly excited.

West Ham United boss David Moyes is eager for Kalvin Phillips to return to his best form before his loan deal expires in east London.

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• Phillips joins West Ham
• Struggles to find form and snubbed by England
• Moyes warns Phillips

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Moyes, 60, has outlined his ambitions to get the former England Player of the Year back to his very best, after the Manchester City loanee was left out of Gareth Southgate's most-recent Three Lions squad. Phillips, 28, has endured a tough return to playing regularly at the Hammers, but his new boss is hoping he can rekindle his finest form before 'time runs out' on his loan deal at West Ham.

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  WHAT MOYES SAID

  Speaking ahead of Sunday's clash against Aston Villa, Moyes said: "I'm speaking to him regularly because he's such a good boy to talk to as well. He wants to listen, he's willing to give feedback and he wants to get better.

  "There is no doubt he is going to come back to his best form and I hope we can crack the code before our time runs out, I really do. That's the key because I said to him the other day, you don't get the England manager giving you 30-odd caps and you don't get signed by the best manager in the world if there isn't something there.

  "I've also been trying to sign him for three years, that might not mean nothing but certainly with the other two, there has to be something that everybody has seen so we have to crack the code to get him back on it."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Phillips secured a temporary loan switch to West Ham during the January transfer window, after starting just two Premier League games since making the £45 million ($57m) transfer from his boyhood club Leeds United to City back in 2022.

  The defensive midfielder was eager to get regular minutes under his belt ahead of this summer, as he looks to solidify himself in Southgate's England plans for Euro 2024.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR PHILLIPS?

  Phillips played just five minutes during the rampant 5-0 win over Freiburg in the Europa League on Thursday. The former Leeds man will be hoping he can break back into the starting line-up for the first time since the 2-2 draw with Burnley, as West Ham prepare to face Villa at the London Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The reporter who caused Jurgen Klopp to storm out of a post-match interview has revealed what the angry Liverpool boss did next.

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• Reds suffered quarter-final defeat at Old Trafford
• German coach frustrated at post-match questions
• Disappointment at losing to rivals is understandable

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The German tactician was not in the best of moods after seeing his side suffer a dramatic 4-3 defeat to arch-rivals Manchester United in an epic FA Cup quarter-final clash at Old Trafford. After being asked about the supposed lack of intensity from his side in extra-time, as Amad Diallo snatched a 121st-minute winner, Klopp said, before walking off: “Come on! You are obviously not in a great shape. I don't have the nerve for this.”

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  WHAT FREDERIKSEN SAID ABOUT KLOPP

  Niels Christian Frederiksen was asking the questions and he has told of how tensions continued to run high after the cameras stopped rolling: “I was very surprised by it, and those standing around were scared, and they were almost pressed up against the wall like: 'wow, what the hell just happened here?' It continued after what was seen on TV. He continued down the hallway, where he yelled and screamed at me. I also followed him because I thought it was something strange. I was very surprised, while some looked very shocked, and they asked: 'Are you okay?' and of course I'm okay. I have interviewed Jurgen many times. I don't know him personally, but I've been to Mainz several times when Leon Andreasen and Mohamed Zidan were there, and I have also interviewed him in Dortmund and many times during his time in Liverpool. So we don't have a bad relationship at all. I know that when you're one of the world's best coaches, and you have been for years, it doesn't come if you're not the world's worst loser. The premise of being a good coach is that you don't like to lose and that you are a winner.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Frederiksen added on the unfortunate incident: “I interpret it mostly as an expression of his terrible frustration that they lost to Manchester United in the manner it happened, where they were ahead twice and should have sealed the deal. His dream scenario was to play an FA Cup final at Wembley in his last match in England, and that's been taken from him now. So I can understand he's super frustrated. Then he got a question he didn't think was appropriate. It's been a theme for them that they've had many injuries and many matches, which he has complained about. Then he got a question about why they didn't have intensity in the game, and then he snapped. That's fair enough. I have absolutely no problem with that. There will be absolutely no problems in the future. I can't imagine that at all. When I interview him again, we'll still be good friends – professionally speaking. I don't think he holds a grudge, and I certainly don't.”

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Liverpool led on two occasions against United, in normal time and after seeing Harvey Elliott hit the net in extra-time, but they were unable to hold on and saw wild scenes of celebration sparked at their expense as the Red Devils marched on to Wembley and a semi-final showdown with surprise package Coventry City.

Manchester United showed some much-needed spirit yesterday, coming from behind in inspirational fashion to secure a much-needed 2-1 Premier League win against Brentford.

Having lost the two matches beforehand, the pressure was unsurprisingly ramping up on Erik ten Hag. However, Scott McTominay emerged to alleviate some of that with a fine substitute appearance.

How did Scott McTominay play vs Brentford?

Having only come on with three minutes of regulation time left, the Scotland international likely felt incensed when he saw six minutes of added time. Six minutes to stamp his first-team claim and change the narrative around Manchester.

Whilst he would only register five touches, three of those proved decisive, the first to pluck down a ball in the area, and the second to fire home an equaliser. His muted celebration was indicative of a mindset set to completely turn the game on its head.

Floating a free-kick in, in what was set to be one of the last plays of the game, Harry Maguire's deft flick on left McTominay unmarked, and the midfielder would power his header in via the goalkeeper's gloves, completing a comeback staged exclusively in added time.

A near-perfect cameo from the 26-year-old, he will rightly steal the headlines as the match-winner and Ten Hag's savour. However, it could be argued that the man who assisted his second goal also deserves plaudits, for his quietly brilliant afternoon.

How did Harry Maguire play vs Brentford?

Starting alongside Jonny Evans, United fans likely let out a collective groan when the team sheets were announced to emphasise their injury woes. Missing the likes of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez, with the lack of left-back forcing their only other centre-back to play there, it was a back four thrown together, and with little faith of a solid outing.

However, the former club captain stepped up and put in a battling performance, showcasing exactly why many have rushed to laud Maguire across a career blighted by high-profile errors that have tarnished his once stellar reputation.

The ex-Leicester City star would seek to prove those doubters wrong on Saturday, with his 69 touches, 89% pass accuracy and one key pass indicative of a fine afternoon on the ball, via Sofascore.

However, it was his solidity in the face of the very potent threat the Bees posed that is truly deserving of praise, having won 100% of the two aerials he competed in and also making two key interceptions.

The 30-year-old is always capable of pulling out a performance, with that aforementioned adulation earned across a fine career best outlined through the 2019 claims of Paul Pogba: "I call him 'The Beast'. He was really impressive. He is a leader."

As aforementioned, McTominay is rightfully Ten Hag's hero after such an unprecedented substitute appearance, but it is clear that many others noticed Maguire's silently impressive display.

In fact, Manchester Evening News' Samuel Luckhurst would hand the £80m ace a 7/10 rating in his post-match player ratings, suggesting whilst he was rusty, he still impressed.

Perhaps now marks the perfect time for a late renaissance for the defender, to lead them through this tumultuous period and into a brighter future, of which he likely will not be a part.

It is believed by respected transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano that one Chelsea player is "now" certain to leave in the January transfer window.

Chelsea form under Pochettino

Mauricio Pochettino's arrival at Stamford Bridge didn't exactly bring a wave of excellent results at first. Instead, the Blues suffered a really slow start to the new Premier League season; going from late August to early October without even scoring a single top flight goal. The Blues, though, have turned this around somewhat lately with three wins from their last three in all competitions.

Precious victories over Fulham, Brighton and Burnley on the trot have given Pochettino something to build upon in west London, with their 4-1 hammering of Vincent Kompany's Clarets in particular showcasing the devastatating talent at Chelsea's disposal.

“Always when you concede first and you need to break down the opponent always you feel proud when you achieve that,” Pochettino said after their Burnley 1-4 Chelsea.

“The team were playing well and with the chances conceded in a situation that was completely unfair, but the team were really good, solid, the whole team. We want to improve players and try to recover the players that were injured,” Pochettino said when asked what he wanted to take from the next fortnight. The next two weeks we’re going to spend working on the training ground with a different mood from the last months.

“After two victories it is much better but I think we will keep pushing, working hard to be better in the next months.”

Who could leave Chelsea?

While Chelsea look to back on a consistent run of winning form, certain players like left-back Marc Cucurella and midfielder Trevoh Chalobah have been linked with moves away from the club in January. The latter was central to another recent report by Fabrizio Romano that he's eyeing an exit this winter, and according to the same source, it is "now" believed that Chalobah is "90%" likely to go.

"I can confirm now that my information is that he will leave Chelsea in January," wrote Romano in a Chalobah transfer update.

"You may remember that Chelsea were prepared to let him go to Nottingham Forest in the final hours of the transfer window, only for the player to say no. Bayern Munich were also interested in Chalobah and their interest remains, while there are now other clubs as well. Chalobah loves Chelsea but he wants to play, so he is prepared to go. A January exit now looks 90% guaranteed."

The versatile ace, who's been unable to contribute this season due to injury, has been praised by former Chelsea coaches like Graham Potter, who once said this on Chalobah.

"Very professional, very determined. He’s an impressive character, very focused on his football," said Potter last year to the Chelsea website.

"He’s a bit of a soldier. He’s played in all the games, we’re having some problems in terms of availability for players, but he’s stood up, stood in and he’s performing at a really good level."