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Chelsea travel to Tottenham Hotspur on Monday night in what promises to be a blockbuster London derby.

The Blues are unfancied against their in-form opponents having slipped to a 2-0 defeat against Brentford in the Premier League last time out.

While that disappointing loss has kept them embroiled in a mid-table battle, a much-improved performance will be needed against Spurs.

The arrival of Ange Postecoglu has seen them relentlessly dispatch their opponents with ease this term, largely through the unstoppable pair of Heung-min Son and James Maddison.

If Chelsea are to stand any chance of recording three points, Mauricio Pochettino will need to devise a plan to shut that devastating duo down.

Chelsea team news vs Tottenham

Pochettino’s start to life at Stamford Bridge has been littered with inconsistency as several injuries to key players have curtailed their progression up the table.

The Argentine remains without seven players, including Christopher Nkunku, Romeo Lavia, Ben Chilwell, Trevoh Chalobah, Armando Broja, Wesley Fofana and Carney Chukwuemeka.

Whilst the majority of those casualties have impacted their chances of challenging nearer the top – namely the long-term absence of Nkunku – Chelsea have been boosted by some positive news on the injury front in recent weeks.

Mykhailo Mudryk reported back to full training this week after dealing with a muscle injury but is now expected to return for the London derby.

Chelsea have also been bolstered in a defensive capacity having watched centre-back Benoit Badiashile score on his first game back against Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday night.

Likewise, Reece James made his first since August in that 2-0 victory and Pochettino could throw him straight into battle against Tottenham as a tool to deal with the guaranteed onslaught of Spurs attacks.

Why Reece James should start against Tottenham

A fully fit and firing James is one of the best right backs on the planet, as lauded on several occasions by many, including former full-back himself, Glenn Johnson.

Speaking to Genting last year, he said: “I think James is definitely up there as one of the world’s best right-backs.

“In terms of if he’s the world’s best? I can’t think of anyone better at the moment."

When he’s not being plagued by injury problems, James has proven that he has all the ingredients in his locker to be the best in the world in his position, both defensively and going forward.

According to FBref, he ranks in the top 9% against his positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues in the past year for progressive carries, the top 4% for successful take-ons and top 3% for progressive passes.

A forward-thinking wing-back who has displayed his qualities as a ball-carrying phenom and a force of creativity down the right flank has also demonstrated his ability to defend, and that is a crucial element to his game that Chelsea need against Spurs.

The £250k-per-week defender places within the top 19% for aerials won and has often impressed with his ability to defend in one-on-one situations, with some of the world's best attackers struggling to get change out of the Englishman.

The “monster” – as lauded by journalist Antonio Mango – showcased his beastly physical attributes in the Champions League last term and was commended for how he kept on fire AC Milan forward Rafael Leao in his pocket as the Blues won 3-0 and James got his name on the scoresheet.

With former Chelsea defender Jason Cundy describing him as an “absolute animal” for that display, Pochettino needs the 23-year-old to rediscover that level of performance against Spurs to shut the likes of Maddison and Son, who have contributed to 17 goals between them this term.

Since Erik ten Hag took over at Manchester United, the club has splashed the cash, bringing in 16 players in total over the course of the Dutchman's 18 months in the dugout.

The Red Devils have added some massive names to the squad, including £55m signing Mason Mount as well as £82m Antony, but the jury is still out on some, if not all of Ten Hag's most expensive players with supporters so bored they've resorted to distraction techniques inside Old Trafford.

One man in particular could be on his way out of Old Trafford already, having moved to England just last year.

The player Jim Ratcliffe wants to sell

Casemiro signed for Man United at the ripe age of 30 last season for a whopping £70m, having just won La Liga and the Champions League with Real Madrid in Spain.

The Brazilian has so far made 51 appearances for the English giants, earning plaudits for some of his performances in a red shirt, although Casemiro also missed a whole host of games through suspension, including two straight red card offences.

Nevertheless, this season, the 31-year-old has been hampered by injuries, causing him to feature only 12 times in all competitions under Ten Hag, making merely eight appearances in the Premier League.

It was recently reported that Manchester United's prospective minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe listed Casemiro as an example of misguided recruitment in a meeting with other board members due to his price tag and being on the wrong side of 30.

Now, talkSPORT are reporting that Sir Jim is keen to sell the five-time European champion so soon into his career at the Theatre of Dreams, with clubs in Saudi Arabia interested in securing his signature.

But would Man United be making a mistake by selling Casemiro?

Casemiro's stats this season

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher is certainly not a fan of Casemiro, nor United's acquisition of the experienced midfielder, previously labelling him as a "panic buy" from the club. The Liverpool legend also called for Ten Hag to change his midfield following a dismal start to the campaign by his side.

On the face of it, Casemiro has looked quite solid statistically over the past calendar year when compared to others in the same position across Europe's top-five leagues. The Real Madrid legend is sitting inside the top 12% for goals per 90 and the top 5% for expected goals per 90. Furthermore, the Brazilian is in the top 1% for blocks per 90 and passes blocked per 90 while also being in the top 16% for tackles won per 90, according to FBref.

Defensively, Casemiro is sound, apart from his obvious disciplinary issues. However, where United's number '18' struggles the most is in his ability to make the team tick. The former Madrid star is an excellent passer of the ball when he has time and space to find a teammate, particularly from range. The issues lie in his struggles to play with his back to goal and his inability to make quick, incisive short passes to help move the opposition.

Casemiro is in the bottom 23% for pass completion percentage per 90 this calendar year and the bottom 17% for short passes completed per 90. Meanwhile, Manchester City's midfield maestro Rodri is in the top 1% for pass completion percentage per 90 and the top 9% for short passes completed per 90.

The Spaniard is the fulcrum of Man City with his neat and tidy passes to make space, whereas Casemiro tends to prefer big switches of play, evident from his being in the top 9% for progressive passing distance per 90.

United need a player in the mould of Rodri or even Arsenal's Declan Rice. Casemiro's style of play suits a more transition-based team, not one keen to hold possession and build from the back, so if the Red Devils can recuperate adequate funds from the Brazilian's sale, it's best for all parties if they part ways.

Liverpool supporters have a hold on cautious optimism that the Premier League title can be fought for this season, with Jurgen Klopp's summer transfer work steering the club back on course after a turbulent 2022/23 campaign.

Some might look at the league table and cry, 'Liverpool are third, just two points behind first-placed Arsenal; the sole defeat came in the most contentious circumstances against Tottenham Hotspur – of course we can challenge for the title.'

Of course, this is true, but with only 13 matches gone so far, there is much work to be done and plenty more football to be played before a more crystallised league ladder materialises.

The notorious winter period will unleash an onslaught of obstacles for teams to weave their way through, and Klopp will understand the importance of remaining grounded until the new year paints a clearer picture.

The new year will also open the winter transfer window's shutter, and while Liverpool have impressed over the past several months, it would be wise to invest to ensure that the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City do not pull away.

Liverpool transfer news – Douglas Luiz

The player seemingly on the radar of all these aforementioned Premier League title challengers is Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz, who has been at the heart of Unai Emery's revolution.

According to 90min, high-flying Villa are determined to ward off interest from Arsenal, City and Liverpool for their Brazilian midfielder, who has certainly been among the standouts in English football this year.

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ByAngus Sinclair Nov 27, 2023

Pep Guardiola sold the 25-year-old to the Villans for £15m in 2019, while Arsenal failed with three bids in 2022; Liverpool's intrigue is more nebulous, though the Reds have made it clear that they will enter the race if Emery's side alter their stance.

Douglas Luiz's season in numbers

After just 13 matches in the Premier League, Luiz has scored five goals and supplied two assists; this is a stunning return for a holding midfielder, and an illustration of his growth into "the complete player", as has been said by The Athletic's Jacob Tanswell.

Player

Club

Goals

Darwin Nunez

Liverpool

4

Julian Alvarez

Manchester City

4

Bukayo Saka

Arsenal

4

Diogo Jota

Liverpool

4

Bruno Fernandes

Manchester United

3

Luis Diaz

Liverpool

3

Phil Foden

Manchester City

3

*Sourced via premierleague.com

Of course, goals and assists are not the touchstone of peak performance for one of Luiz's role, but it's a pretty neat bonus that he has weaved impressive attacking intent into his skill set, having once been lauded for his "ridiculous" ability by journalist Sam Tighe.

As per FBref, the £75k-per-week machine actually ranks among the top 9% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 16% for assists and the top 195 for shot-creating actions per 90.

However, the ten-cap Brazil international has certainly not shirked away from his defensive duties while seeking to contribute to the attack, completing 89% of his passes in the Premier League, averaging 2.3 tackles and 6.1 ball recoveries and winning 59% of his contested duels.

Why Liverpool should sign Douglas Luiz

Liverpool have been performing admirably this season and will surely compete for the Premier League title if their seasonal form so far is sustained, but to achieve this it is crucial that a player of Luiz's ilk is signed in January.

It might be tricky, with Villa pushing for Champions League qualification this term and under no obligation to sell, but if Liverpool were to meet the £60m valuation that has purportedly been placed on his signature to swat away suitors then it's possible that Emery and co could acquiesce.

Klopp welcomed four midfield additions in the summer and has successfully re-energised the ranks, but this could be the move to truly rekindle the Anfield side's position of power as one of Europe's most threatening and ferocious outfits – capable of fighting for the biggest honours around.

While the Reds have enjoyed an exciting new-look engine room, Fabinho hasn't really been replaced after his summer sale and creative star Alexis Mac Allister has been utilised in an unnatural deep-lying role to compensate.

To be honest, it's hard to argue that it's not working given Liverpool's position in the Premier League, but replacing the former starring member has got to be high on the agenda for the Liverpool bosses.

Fabinho's Liverpool career

It was a poignant way to bow out. Fabinho had been instrumental to Klopp's Liverpool side for years, signing from Monaco in a £44m transfer in 2018, threading the team together from the centre of the park to resounding success.

Over 219 matches for Klopp's side, Fabinho posted 11 goals and ten assists and won the full sweep of silverware under the German's guidance, with the 29-cap Brazil international even dubbed "the best" holding midfielder in the world by Gary Neville in 2019.

The 30-year-old had undoubtedly declined last season and was even branded as "awful" by commentator Jamie Carragher for his insipid displays.

Unfortunately, he appeared to have run out of gas and his spluttering efforts typified Liverpool's woes as they foundered and finished fifth, missing out on Champions League football this year.

Having been so important for so long, Fabinho will have been disappointed not to end on a high. However, he can proudly state that he played a central role – literally and figuratively – in one of the most illustrious spells in Liverpool's modern history.

When Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad came calling and presented a £40m proposal in July, it seemed a no-brainer for all parties, and he made the move with the adulation of Merseyside's sea of red.

Liverpool have managed in his absence thus far, sure, but Mac Allister will fall asleep dreaming of the halcyon days in his favoured No. 8 role, and a move for Fabinho's compatriot Luiz could mark a natural continuation of the club's development.

Luiz is not quite a carbon copy, arguably more complete and refined in the ever-evolving modern game, and while Fabinho's defensive industriousness probably edges the Aston Villa star's, he could make a massive impact at Anfield as the perfect successor.

Manchester United have always produced fantastic players from their esteemed academy, and Kobbie Mainoo is the latest gem to come to the fore.

The 18-year-old made his full debut for the club against Everton on the weekend and was awarded Man of the Match by broadcasters Sky Sports.

United have plenty of promising youngsters coming through the Carrington ranks, but who is most likely to follow in the footsteps of Mainoo as we head into 2024?

Football FanCast has taken a look at the 10 most promising Manchester United prospects who could be lighting up the Premier League in the years to come.

10 Isak Hansen-Aarøen

Norwegian, 19 years old

Isak Hansen-Aarøen was already playing senior football with Tromso in Norway before completing the switch to Old Trafford in September 2020.

The under-21 Norway international has been making noise for United's reserve side from central midfield and is tipped to reach lofty heights.

Erik ten Hag has called up the youngster for first-team training on occasion, which perhaps shows he's not too far away from making his debut.

Jonas Johansen, a sport performance coach for Hansen-Aarøen, believes the Norwegian could be sent on loan to further enhance his development.

“I think 1 or 2 loans is what they're thinking. Then it's up to Isak and his family to consider if that's the smartest thing,” Johansen said.

9 Charlie McNeill

English, 20 years old

United outlaid a reported £675k (potentially rising to £1.4m) on Charlie McNeill in October 2020, having ripped it up for Manchester City's youth teams.

The young centre-forward continued his prolific goalscoring record with United's Under-18s, netting 34 times in 35 outings before moving up to the U21s.

A record of 10 goals in 37 outings ensued with the reserve squad between six months on loan at League Two outfit Newport County last season.

McNeill appeared 20 times for the Exiles, scoring two goals, and is now on loan at League One side Stevenage.

The former City youth forward netted on his debut during a 3-0 away victory against Leyton Orient in September but has only appeared twice since.

According to the Mirror, United plan to recall the promising youngster in January and will then decide his next step thereafter.

8 Mateo Mejía

Colombian, 20 years old

Mateo Mejía joined the esteemed United academy from Real Zaragoza in 2019 as a 16-year-old for a reported fee worth €150,000 (£130k).

The Colombia youth international has enjoyed a bright start to the Premier League 2 this term, netting three times whilst laying on four assists across eight outings, and mightn't be too far away from a first-team debut given the exclusion of fellow winger Jadon Sancho and the out-of-form Antony.

Mejía, who typically operates on the right wing, was pictured in first-team training recently ahead of United's Champions League group game away at Galatasaray.

The 6 foot 1 wide player penned a new deal with the club in June.

7 Louis Jackson

Scottish, 18 years old

Louis Jackson was spotted training with the first team ahead of their League Cup clash against Crystal Palace in September, which brought his name to the attention of many hawk-eyed United fans.

The centre-back is highly rated by the club's officials, who handed the teenager his first professional contract in October 2022.

Jackson was just 16 years old when he helped the academy win the FA Youth Cup in 2022 and he has continued to blossom with the reserve side thereafter.

The Scotland youth international also holds the record for the youngest player to ever feature for United's Under-21s.

6 Willy Kambwala

French, 19 years old

Willy Kambwala, a towering and imposing centre-back, joined the Old Trafford club from French second-division outfit Sochaux for a reported fee worth £3.5m in 2020.

The 6 foot 4 defender has trained with the seniors in the past and could be on the cusp of a debut given Lisandro Martínez's injury and Raphaël Varane's potential winter exit.

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ByHenry Jackson Aug 12, 2024

Kambwala, who has operated at both centre-half and right-back this term, captained the Under-17 France team as a 16-year-old, which evinces his ability to become a potential future leader for United.

5 Álvaro Fernández

Spanish, 20 years old

Álvaro Fernández was named on the substitutes' bench for United's 3-2 win against Nottingham Forest earlier this season but is still awaiting his senior debut.

The Spanish left-back is currently on loan at LaLiga outfit Granada CF, having enjoyed a successful season at Preston North End last term, laying on six assists.

Should his spell in Spain be successful, he may well become a part of Ten Hag's plans, but he'll have fierce competition in the form of Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.

Fernández acclaimed United's Denzil Haroun Reserve-Team Player of the Year award in 2022 and picked up Preston's Young Player of the Season Award in 2023.

4 Shola Shoretire

English, 19 years old

Shola Shoretire has already made five senior appearances for United, with his first coming back in February 2021 as a 17-year-old. He became the second-youngest Red to play in the Premier League, with only Angel Gomes appearing at a younger age (16).

The Newcastle-born midfielder endured a difficult six-month loan stint at Bolton Wanderers last term, but manager Ian Evatt believes he'll have a 'really good future'.

Shoretire has put up fabulous numbers for United's U21s this season, scoring six goals whilst providing three assists across 10 outings, and may well be sent on loan in January to further his development.

Competition

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Premier League 2

7

4

3

EFL Trophy

3

2

0

3 Omari Forson

English, 19 years old

Omari Forson, an England youth international, is highly regarded by United staff and 'there's a feeling he'll be the next academy product to be handed his senior debut', as per the Manchester Evening News' Steven Railston.

Railston further claims that Forson is set to pen a new deal and extend his stay at Old Trafford, evincing the club's high hopes for his future.

The left-footed wide player has netted seven times in eight outings for the academy this season and was named on the subs bench for the senior team against FC Copenhagen in November.

Competition

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Premier League 2

4

3

1

UEFA Youth League

2

2

1

EFL Trophy

2

2

0

2 Daniel Gore

English, 19 years old

Daniel Gore has one senior appearance for the Red Devils to his name, coming on as a second-half substitute against Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup earlier this season, though is still awaiting his full debut.

And many expect the classy midfielder to be the next academy star in line to become a fully-fledged United player, having impressed in pre-season and with the Under-21s.

Gore, who made his England Under-20 debut in October, has captained United in the UEFA Youth League this term, which evinces how well-regarded he is amongst the Old Trafford staff.

X account Olive Footy – a talent identification page – believes the midfielder has an 'innate ability to read the game' and 'execute accurate passes that unlock defences'.

Gore penned a new deal in the summer and appears well-positioned to become a fixture of United's midfield. Though, like all youngsters, he must be nurtured.

1 Joe Hugill

English, 20 years old

Joe Hugill, a former Sunderland youth player, has a fine goal record for United's academy teams and has netted six goals in eight outings in the Premier League 2 this season.

The 6 foot 1 centre-forward hasn't yet made senior debut but was a part of their matchday squad against Everton on the weekend as a substitute, evincing he is on the cusp of an appearance.

X page The Red Devil's DNA said on Hugill's skillset: "Really happy to see Joe Hugill on the bench. That's his first time in the squad. I like his profile. Classic poacher 9 who offers the verticality & movement that [Anthony] Martial lacks.

"Showed his pros in pre-season too. He can give us directness as a super sub if needed today."

As we head into the busy festive period with games coming thick and fast, perhaps Hugill will receive his opportunity, should he continue to bang in the goals for the under-21s.

Age group

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Under-21s

56

30

3

UEFA under-19s

3

1

0

Under-18s

24

18

4

It has been an intriguing season for Arsenal so far this year. They might not be blowing teams away like they did at the start of the last campaign, and yet, with three weeks to go until Christmas, the men in red and white once again find themselves atop the Premier League tree.

What makes their strong performances all the more impressive, however, is that they have topped the league – and their Champions League group – without a prolific striker in the team. As talented as Gabriel Jesus is, he is not a top-class finisher – something he has admitted.

So, with news that the club are now targeting Victor Osimhen in 2024, Bukayo Saka could see his already impressive assist numbers skyrocket.

Arsenal transfer news – Victor Osimhen

According to TEAMtalk, Arsenal are one of the latest sides to show a genuine interest in signing Napoli and Nigeria star Victor Osimhen in 2024.

The report has revealed that Mikel and Edu Gasper hope to make an audacious bid for the lethal frontman in the summer window.

However, London rivals Chelsea are also said to be interested, and should both sides go in for him this winter, it would likely take an offer in the region of £120m to lure him away from Naples.

That said, the prospect of seeing the former Lille man link up with Saka this season surely justifies any price that the Serie A champions demand.

Victor Osimhen could take Saka to the next level

As we have already mentioned, the Gunners have been churning out wins as of late, not necessarily at their free-flowing best per se, but undoubtedly effective.

And while Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trosaard and even Saka have all chipped in, they have yet to show a natural cutting edge when it comes to putting the ball in the back of the net, which is where Osimhen comes in.

The "brilliant" number nine, as described by former Tottenham number one Paul Robinson, finds himself in the top 2% of players in Europe's top five leagues for total shots and touches in the opposition penalty area per 90, and the top 9% for non-penalty goals, per FBref.

However, how does he stack up with the Gunners' attacking players? Well, unsurprisingly, last season's Serie A top scorer is a step above the Emirates' best finishers.

Victor Osimhen

735

6.2

6

1.22

Gabriel Jesus

495

2.9

1

1.09

Leandro Trossard

484

1.8

3

1.22

Eddie Nketiah

818

3.6

5

0.88

Gabriel Martinelli

875

1.3

1

0.82

The Nigerian superstar has an expected goals figure of more than double that of Jesus, and yet he has scored six times as many goals. The only players Mikel Arteta has at his disposal that even come close to his output this season are Eddie Nketiah and Trossard, but their numbers are somewhat deceiving.

Nketiah, for example, put in a brilliant performance against Sheffield United in October and scored a hat-trick, but he has since flattered to deceive and has missed some sitters along the way.

If Saka can rack up five Premier League assists with a front line that struggles to finish their chances, we can only imagine what he would be able to do with a "goal-scoring machine" like Osimhen up front, as he was described by journalist Josh Bunting.

Only last term did the frontman score 31 goals in 39 games. Promising indeed should Arsenal sign him next year.

Manchester United are already 24 matches into the new season, but they are yet to wake from their pre-season slumber. The Red Devils are currently in sixth place in the Premier League, yet they have been dumped out of the EFL Cup and the Champions League already.

Erik ten Hag’s side lacks a clear identity, and that was on display against Bayern Munich at Old Trafford this week, with the hosts losing 1-0 in a must-win match.

We witnessed that Ten Hag had very few attacking options on the bench to change the game, therefore, he will look for a versatile forward this window to bolster his squad.

Man Utd transfers latest – Mathys Tel

As per Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg via X, Man Utd have inquired about loaning the French attacker, who is worth £26m as per CIES Football Observatory, in an attempt to bolster their attack.

However, both Bayern and Mathys Tel have declined any approaches for the time being, and a move is extremely unlikely.

The reason for this is that the youngster aims to develop his game by learning from the very best, Harry Kane, and he believes he will continue to get more minutes under Thomas Tuchel.

Kane is a notable admirer of the young talent, previously saying: "He’s started the season really well. I like the way he trains. He’s always pushing himself and is fully committed. Every time he came in he made a difference and is very confident."

How Mathys Tel compares to Antony

Tel has previously been described as a “pure talent” by Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig, and the forward has notably been influential off the bench for Bayern this campaign, contributing to a handful of important late goals already.

Despite only starting four games across all 19 appearances, the 18-year-old has scored six goals and registered three assists, with five of those coming from zero Bundesliga starts.

The Bayern attacker is also extremely versatile, which means he can be counted on in multiple scenarios. He has played as a centre-forward, a left winger, and a right winger this season, with the latter being particularly important to Manchester United.

Indeed, Red Devils winger Antony has failed to live up to his high expectations since joining the club, and after 16 matches this season, he is without a single goal contribution. It is clear that the duo’s profiles differ, with Tel possessing more pace, natural goal-scoring tendencies, and directness.

Below is a table that compares some of their most important stats from the last 365 days across Europe's top five leagues.

Goals

1.06

0.11

Shots total

4.83

3.21

Successful take-ons

3.93

1.71

Touches (Att pen)

10.57

4.06

Carries into penalty area

2.87

1.46

Although his sample size is much smaller, you can see that Tel is far more direct than the Brazilian, using his taller frame and skilful technique to take on opponents and make things happen in a similar way to how Alejandro Garnacho performs on the left. The Frenchman is also a more “exciting” attacker who has a bright future, according to Jacek Kulig.

Antony is also often found on the touchline, which is perfect from a build-up, possessional perspective, but he is rarely found in the box, with his touches in the opponent’s penalty area much lower than Tel’s.

The difference is that in a scenario where the ball is on the left in attack, Antony would look to hold the width, whereas the Bayern star would be looking to get in the box at the far post, in a similar way to how Sadio Mane used to operate at Liverpool.

Overall, Tel would bring more output to the United side than Antony currently does, but there seems to be no movement whatsoever regarding this deal, which means Manchester United may have to turn their attention elsewhere.

To say it has been a year to forget for Chelsea in the Premier League would be an understatement. The Blues have endured a miserable 2023, with defeat after defeat coming their way no matter the manager. Todd Boehly has splashed the cash to no avail so far in an attempt to rebuild a squad that has failed to perform under Thomas Tucel, Graham Potter, Frank Lampard and now Mauricio Pochettino.

As the January transfer window arrives, the American owner could look to spend his way out of a problem that money hasn't exactly helped so far. But first, he may need to balance the books and that could hand Pochettino a major blow next month.

Chelsea transfer news

It's a rare day when Chelsea aren't stealing the headlines for their transfer activity, arguably more so than ever these days, with a number of arrivals coming through the Stamford Bridge doors. Before Pochettino can welcome some much-needed reinforcements again, however, he may need to bid farewell to one particular star player, who could swap one London club for another in a shock January move. It would see Chelsea handed even more bad news in a period of their history that they'll be keen to forget.

According to Sky Sports reporter Gianluca Di Marzio, Tottenham Hotspur are in "talks" to sign Conor Gallagher from Chelsea in January.

"Spurs are in talks with Chelsea trying to reach an agreement for Conor Gallagher's move to THFC."

Claims elsewhere suggest Spurs are close to reaching an agreement for Gallagher in a deal that could cost around €40m (£35m) next month. It would be some blow for the Blues, particularly if the England international went on and became an important player for their London rivals. As they struggle in mid-table, Gallagher's exit could be a frustrating way to start the new year for some. The mid-season deal is certainly one to keep an eye on, that's for sure.

"Important" Gallagher has been a standout at Chelsea

Even among the misery of Chelsea's campaign, Gallagher has stood out as one of the better players at Stamford Bridge this season, earning the praise of Pochettino as a result.

Speaking about the midfielder's future and his importance to his Chelsea side, Pochettino is clearly a fan of Gallagher, saying: “I don’t need to talk too much because it is not my decision. He is in the starting eleven in nearly all the games and is one of the captains. For me, he is the type of player that the club needs to have. He came from the academy and knows the identity of the club and he is very committed. You can see on the pitch how he runs, plays, and fights. He gives everything and he is a really important player. All coaching staff want this type of player in their team."

Premier League legend and pundit Jamie Carragher is certainly a fan too, hitting out at Chelsea's potential decision to sanction the sale of Gallagher on X:

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has apparently identified a "priority" next signing, coming as Spurs seal deals for forward Timo Werner and defender Radu Dragusin.

Spurs complete double January signing

The aforementioned duo arrive at N17 to reinforce Postecoglou's defensive and attacking options, with Postecoglou having pleaded for Spurs to get their business done early in the transfer window.

Tottenham want to sign £20m player after Dragusin as club prepare to sell

He’s turned heads this season.

ByEmilio Galantini Jan 10, 2024

Werner joins the club on a six-month loan with the option to buy at around £14.6 million, while Dragusin will sign for Spurs in a part-exchange deal worth in excess of £26 million (Fabrizio Romano).

The latter's arrival is a particularly welcome boost for Postecoglou. Dragusin will provide much-needed centre-back depth, with Spurs suffering from a real lack of options in the last few months.

Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero's injuries have even forced the Lilywhites to play both Emerson Royal and Ben Davies as their makeshift pairing on more than one occasion. Postecoglou, before Dragusin's pending move to N17, publicly admitted that Spurs are in dire need of another centre-half.

"I don't put as much stock into the left-sided or right-sided centre-back scenario, we just need another player in that position who can provide some more depth for us and the ability to change it up. It won't matter if it is left-sided or right-sided, it is more the profile and characteristics," he told football.london.

"We didn't go looking for a left-sided centre-back at the start of the year, it just happened that Micky was the perfect centre-back. Even if we had another left-sided one, I still would have signed him. It is about looking at the right profile, the right characteristics and seeing what is available, then going from there."

Postecoglou identifies next "priority" Spurs signing

Attention now turns to whether Tottenham can offload more of their unwanted squad members, like the out-of-favour Eric Dier, or reinforce other key areas. Spurs are believed to be eyeing promising young stars like FC Copenhagen forward Roony Bardghji, while there have been other suggestions that they could look to bring in a first-team midfielder.

That is according to Football Insider, who claim midfield is a "priority" signing area for Postecoglou now. While the Australian is keen to add more quality there, it could depend on Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and his future at the club.

Hojbjerg has been tipped to leave Tottenham in January, and Football Insider claim his exit remains a possibility if interested clubs can find an agreement. Spurs specifically want to bring in a new midfielder around or under the age of 24, as Postecoglou looks to build a long-term project.

Indeed, Postecoglou will only sanction an exit for the "sensational" Hojbjerg if he's certain to land a replacement for him, making the midfield room a real one to watch at Spurs in the build up to deadline day. Other reports suggest Tottenham have already started to line up options after Dragusin.

Leeds United have had issues at left-back in recent years, arguably ever since academy graduate Charlie Taylor left for Burnley back in 2017.

The Whites currently have Sam Byram and Junior Firpo in that position as senior options for Daniel Farke’s side, as they look to win promotion from the Championship following relegation last season. However, injury problems have impacted both defenders, leaving the club needing to bolster their ranks in 2024.

Unfortunately, Leeds haven’t had the best of luck when it comes to left-backs over the past ten years, with plenty of misses and not many hits, so as they enter the January transfer market in need of a new addition, what's happened to the last ten left-back signings at Elland Road?

Adam Drury 2012/13

Back in 2012, Leeds secured the services of Adam Drury after he spent more than 10 years at Norwich City. He clocked up more than 350 appearances for the Canaries and arrived with plenty of second-tier experience to bolster Neil Warnock’s side, but things didn’t go to plan for the Englishman.

Drury featured 18 times for Leeds in just over a year and went on loan to Bradford City in 2013/14 before retiring from professional football at the end of that campaign.

Stephen Warnock 2012/13

With Drury struggling, Warnock turned to another experienced left-back in Stephen Warnock, who penned a two-and-a-half-year contract at Elland Road on deadline day in January 2013.

The former Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers and Aston Villa full-back was a regular straightaway in Yorkshire and ended up staying at the club until 2015, even replacing Jason Pearce as club captain towards the end of his stint.

Stephen Warnock stats at Leeds

Appearances

67

Goals

3

Assists

5

Red cards

1

He left for Derby County in 2015, with Taylor coming through the Leeds academy and taking his place in the first-team. Warnock, after retiring in 2018, now features regularly as a pundit on Sky Sports.

Alfonso Pedraza 2016/17 (loan)

With Taylor becoming a regular for the Whites between 2015 and 2017, Leeds were quiet in the transfer window for a few years when it came to full-back additions. They did turn to the loan market under Garry Monk in 2017, with Alfonso Pedraza joining on a temporary basis from Villarreal.

The Spaniard was actually utilised further forward as a left-winger, making 14 appearances for Leeds before returning to Villarreal after the Whites missed out on the play-offs.

Now, Pedraza is known as a left-back for Villarreal and has gone on to become a regular for the La Liga side, approaching 200 games for his current employers.

Cameron Borthwick-Jackson 2017/18 (loan)

A new season and a new manager in Thomas Christiansen, Leeds once again turned to the loan market as they looked to replace Taylor, with Cameron Borthwick-Jackson arriving from rivals Manchester United.

However, things didn’t go to plan for Borthwick-Jackson, and after starting the first Championship game of the season, didn’t play for the Whites in the league again, with his last appearance coming in an FA Cup defeat to Newport County. The Englishman went on to play for Scunthorpe United, Tranmere Rovers, Oldham Athletic and Burton Albion but moved to Poland last summer to join Slask Wroclaw.

Ezgjan Alioski 2017/18

Initially coming in as a winger from Swiss side Lugano, Ezgjan Alioski has arguably been the club’s best left-back signing over the past 10 years.

The North Macedonia international was transformed into a full-back under Marcelo Bielsa and helped take the club to the Premier League in 2019/20, before also playing his part as the club recorded an incredible 9th place finish in their first season in the top flight.

Ezgjan Alioski stats at Leeds

Appearances

171

Goals

22

Assists

19

Minutes played

12,037

Since leaving Elland Road in 2021, the 31-year-old moved to Saudi Arabia with Al-Ahli and also went on loan to Fenerbahce, where he has continued to ply his trade at left-back.

Laurens De Bock 2017/18

Another full-back who joined during the 2017/18 season was Laurens De Bock, with Victor Orta securing his services from Club Brugge in January in a permanent transfer.

The Belgian only played seven times for Leeds and was quickly sent out on loan to KV Oostende, before joining Sunderland, ADO Den Haag and Zulte Waregem on temporary deals, eventually joining the latter on a free transfer. Now, De Bock is in Greece with Atromitos, with his move to Leeds being another one to forget.

Leif Davis 2018/19

Davis was brought to Leeds by Bielsa from Morecambe back in 2018 and initially was viewed as an academy addition, although he was a regular in and around the first-team matchday squad during the Argentine’s tenure at Elland Road.

The youngster made 14 senior appearances for the Whites, two of which came in the Premier League before he moved to Bournemouth on loan.

He completed a permanent move to Ipswich Town in 2022 when the Tractor Boys were in League One and the Whites were still in the Premier League, and now, that deal looks to be a mistake from Leeds. Davis has played a starring role for Ipswich over the last 18 months, becoming a creative outlet from left-back.

Barry Douglas 2018/19

Free-kick specialist Barry Douglas was seen as the star left-back addition ahead of Davis prior to Bielsa’s first season in charge, joining from Wolves on a permanent transfer.

However, the Scot never lived up to expectations at Elland Road, failing to score a goal and registering five assists in 44 games. Injury issues also impacted his stay in Yorkshire, although he was part of the squad that won promotion. After leaving Leeds in 2021 for Lech Poznan, Douglas is still with the Polish side and has made more than 100 appearances for the club, although his deal is up at the end of the season.

Junior Firpo 2021/22

Leeds were calling out for a left-back addition in the Premier League, which resulted in Junior Firpo arriving from Barcelona ahead of the club’s second season in the top flight.

However, like many that have come and gone, things haven’t worked out for the Spaniard, who has been in and out of the side due to various injury problems.

The 27-year-old has managed more than 50 appearances in a Leeds shirt but has also been out with knee, hamstring and ligament problems, failing to help the club stay up last season as a result.

Sam Byram 2023/24

With a shortage at left-back over the summer, Farke brought Sam Byram back to Elland Road, over six years after he left Leeds for West Ham. The former right-back has been transformed into a left-back in recent years with Norwich City, and a free transfer materialised after he proved his fitness in pre-season.

Byram began the campaign as a regular at left-back for Leeds, but unfortunately, minor injury issues have once again returned, which leaves the Whites on the search for another left-back.

Tottenham Hotspur have already made two additions to their side during the January transfer window and are now reportedly eyeing up a Championship starlet…

Spurs' interest in an England U21 international

According to Alasdair Gold in football.london, Spurs are one of the clubs keeping tabs on Norwich City hotshot Jonathan Rowe after his electric season so far.

The journalist's report claims that the Lilywhites are monitoring the England U21 international's situation amid interest from other, unnamed, Premier League clubs.

There is, however, no mention of how much it would cost to secure his signature or whether a deal would be done this month or in the summer, should a team make a move for his services.

Ange Postecoglou could sign an exciting partner for James Maddison at the top end of the pitch by winning the race to land the young winger.

James Maddison's creative brilliance

The England international hit the ground running in North London after his permanent switch from Leicester City ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

Maddison has proven himself to be a terrific creator who can split open opposition defences almost at will to provide his teammates with high-quality opportunities in front of goal.

Assists (0.51)

Top 6%

Expected Assisted Goals (0.29)

Top 17%

Shot-creating actions (8.17)

Top 1%

Progressive passes (9.91)

Top 1%

Passes attempted (56.49)

Top 6%

As you can see in the table above, the former Norwich star has been one of the best creators and one of the most progressive talents in his position in the Premier League this season.

He could be the perfect midfielder to play alongside Rowe in the attacking set-up for Spurs as the Canaries youngster is a player who has the potential to make the most of Maddison's creativity.

Jonathan Rowe's finishing quality

The Norwich star has burst onto the scene in the Championship this season and showcased his quality in the final third as a ruthless finisher from either wing.

He is comfortable on the left or the right flank and is adept at using both feet. The 20-year-old whiz has scored five with his right foot, four with his left, and three with his head in all competitions.

This shows that he is a complete finisher who can use either foot or his head to find the back of the net, whilst the Yellows wizard has also been efficient in front of goal.

Rowe, whose recent goal against Hull – as shown above – was described as "absolutely sublime" by podcaster HLTCO, has scored 11 Championship goals from 4.29 Expected Goals in 25 appearances this season.

He has significantly outperformed the quality of chances that his teammates have provided him with, whilst scoring in a variety of ways, and this suggests that the Spurs target would thrive alongside Maddison if the 5 foot 8 gem can make the step up to the top-flight.

The current Tottenham star has the ability to create high-quality chances at an impressive rate and he could, therefore, provide Rowe with the opportunities he needs to find the back of the net week-in-week-out for Postecoglou, which is why they could be an exciting pairing for the club.