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West Ham United have been dealt a setback ahead of their upcoming Premier League meeting with Burnley on Sunday.

What’s the latest?

According to BBC Sport, David Moyes are likely to face Burnley defender Erik Pieters tomorrow afternoon, as the Lancashire outfit are now set to welcome the Dutchman back after his recovery from a knee issue.

However, this hasn’t been the biggest bit of news coming out of Turf Moor this week, as, after ten years of service, manager Sean Dyche was relieved of his duties on Friday – with Burnley 18th and four points from safety with eight games remaining.

Therefore, U23s boss Michael Jackson will be in the opposing dugout at the London Stadium as he takes up temporary charge of the visitors, whilst defender Ben Mee will also be a part of the coaching set-up.

However, amid the surprise regarding Dyche’s dismissal, West Ham must continue to prepare to take on a side desperate for points and who will be stronger with the return of Pieters.

Pieters’ return is bad news for West Ham

Prior to suffering his injury in February, Pieters had been playing well with Burnely in decent form.

The left-back played every minute of the Clarets’ seven Premier League matches between late January and late February before being withdrawn away at Crystal Palace after an hour.

From those seven matches, Dyche’s side lost just once, winning twice and drawing the other four matches which gave their survival hopes a boost.

Prior to that run in the side, the 33-year-old had struggled for minutes in claret and blue, making just four league appearances before the turn of the year.

Since Pieters has been out of action, Burnley have been in dire form, winning just one of their last six in the top flight, losing the other five.

However, that victory was a crucial one as the Lancashire outfit overcame relegation rivals Everton 3-2 at Turf Moor before embarrassingly losing 2-0 at bottom side Norwich City, the final nail in the coffin for Dyche.

The Hammers will certainly smell blood as they look to consolidate their place in the top six, which is currently hanging on a thread.

Although, Burnley supporters will be expecting a reaction after a rollercoaster week at Turf Moor and the boost of Pieters’ return could prove awkward for David Moyes to deal with.

AND in other news: West Ham plot bid for £21.6m-rated “leader”, Moyes can now axe “shocking” £61k-p/w dud

In what was an enthralling contest, Leeds United shared the spoils with Newcastle in their Premier League clash on Friday night.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side got off to the best possible start when Raphinha put them ahead before Allan Saint-Maximin levelled things up before the break.

And, despite both sides having several chances to win the game, neither were able to convert, and a point apiece seemed to be a fair reflection of the night.

While Raphinha’s long-range shot come cross was the one real moment of magic from the Whites, it was Rodrigo’s performance that arguably stole the show for Bielsa.

The Spaniard has had a disappointing start to the new Premier League season with some Leeds fans in particular slamming him after his performance against Manchester United on the opening day.

In fact, here on FFC, we even called on Bielsa to drop him from the starting line-up for the game against the Magpies last night – a poll done on that article even saw 58% of a selection of Leeds fans agree that Rodrigo should be dropped too (122 votes to 89).

But in an impressive all-round performance that displayed both energy and creativity, Rodrigo proved why the Leeds boss continues to keep the faith with his club record signing.

As per Sofascore, he had three attempts on goal, completed two out of his three dribbles (the joint-most of any Leeds player), and provided three key passes (again, the most of any his teammates).

It was no surprise then that while on co-commentary duty for Sky Sports, Jamie Carragher was quick to praise the former Valencia man, saying he was “outstanding” after providing a superb cross-field ball to Raphinha, and saying he had “been the best player for Leeds” after setting up Patrick Bamford in the second-half.

And, writing in his post-match player ratings for Leeds Live, Beren Cross gave him a seven, saying: “Much better from the Spain international who, as we have seen in the past, does fare better against lesser opposition.

“Shots were not always accurate enough or powerful enough to test Darlow, but popped up in good areas and played his part when Leeds were dangerous.”

Rodrigo’s performance sent a message that he can still play a big part for Leeds, even in potentially in that more attacking role just behind Bamford.

It was a display that silenced some of the doubters, but it’s one that he needs to build on more consistently over the coming weeks and months.

Bielsa will no doubt be thrilled with how the Spaniard performed last night.

Meanwhile, Leeds are plotting another swoop for this star…

Former Manchester City star Michael Ball insists the club’s fans will have no complaints over their huge spending this summer, as a deal for Harry Kane continues to be mooted.

Pep Guardiola’s side have broken the British transfer record to secure Jack Grealish’s signature for a fee of £100m, triggering the release clause that was present in his contract.

City are also reported to be huge admirers of Kane at Tottenham Hotspur, and were reported to be preparing a bid worth in excess of £120m.

The Athletic, though, has reported that there is no direct dialogue between the two clubs over a deal, and there is now a suggestion that Kane could well stay at the club for another season.

He was absent from the squad entirely as Spurs played City on Sunday, winning 1-0 thanks to a goal from Son Heung-Min.

Ball insists that the club are trying to refresh their squad ahead of an assault on the Champions League, with City losing to Chelsea in last season’s final.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, he said: “I don’t think City fans will complain. Yes they’ve always had the comments of ‘well, we haven’t broken the British record’ and we’re still doing what we’re doing but unfortunately, they haven’t done what they want to do, which is to win that Champions League.

“If you give any football club, them type of players, none of the fans will complain whatsoever. As long as the season ticket prices don’t double or triple, the fans will be happy to see players like that come to your football club.”

Leeds United should have made a move for Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara in the summer transfer window amid Carlton Palmer’s recent verdict.

What’s the story?

TEAMtalk claimed over the summer that along with the Whites, the likes of fellow Premier League sides Newcastle, West Ham and Wolves were all monitoring developments ahead of a possible move.

A deal however failed to materialise before the end of the deadline, and now Palmer has delivered his verdict on Kamara and the transfer speculation surrounding him.

Speaking exclusively to FFC, he said: “It’s a difficult one as a player, isn’t it? It’s where you think you’re going to play the most football.

“Leeds have a settled side at the moment. I think he (Marcelo Bielsa) has his 1-11 that he relies on, that he knows he’s going to pick week in, week out, so it’s a difficult one. Do you go there, sit on the bench and wait for your opportunity, or do you go to a club and play?”

Would’ve been perfect for Bielsa

Given that Leeds’ interest in Kamara first surfaced way back in October amid suggestions that a move could be made in the January transfer window, a swoop for the Finland international this summer would have been very similar to their long-running pursuit of Dan James.

The 25-year-old ace was a key part of Steven Gerrard’s side last season as they finally won back the Scottish Premiership title from Celtic, while he was also involved in the Gers’ impressive run in the Europa League.

His former manager at Dundee, Neil McCann, said: “He looks small but he’s strong and he’s a playmaker. When Rangers signed Glen, I sat there thinking he would smash it. Glen will end up back in the English Premier League. I’ve no doubts about that.

“He isn’t a big, physical lad but he’s made of iron and really strong. I knew immediately that he could handle the ball under pressure and not give it away, so he was perfect. He’s a special talent. He’s lightning-quick but he doesn’t show it. He’s a player who takes instruction well.”

It’s why Leeds have potentially risked Bielsa’s wrath by not only not signing the 34-cap international, but also failing to bring in a new central midfielder completely, and leaving them very vulnerable once again in the middle of the park to any key injuries or suspensions.

Meanwhile, this Leeds United transfer target is now set for contract talks…

Kevin Phillips has given his reaction to some Newcastle United injury news involving Callum Wilson.

The Lowdown: Back training

Speaking in his pre-game press conference before the Magpies lost 2-1 at Wolves on Saturday, Steve Bruce revealed that the 29-year-old is due to start training ‘in the next couple of days’, and hinted that he could make a return to the squad after the upcoming international break.

The former Bournemouth striker has not played since he scored in the 2-2 draw at home to Southampton in the Premier League in late August.

The Latest: Phillips reacts

Speaking to Football Insider, former Premier League Golden Boot winner Phillips has claimed that Wilson being back in training is a big boost for Newcastle. He said:

“That’s a massive boost. They’ve missed him hugely. When he plays, he guarantees you goals, guarantees you a threat.

“That’s what Newcastle have lacked. It’s great news for him to be back in training.

“I’m sure they can’t wait for him to get out there and get going again.”

The Verdict: Huge

It certainly is huge that Wilson is back in training, as he could be back in a black-and-white-striped shirt after the international break has finished.

There is no doubt that Newcastle have missed him, having not being able to win any of the last four Premier League games without him, only managing to score four goals in that time (two in three matches prior to his injury.

He is such a key player for Bruce’s team and gives them a focal point up top from which the likes of Allan Saint-Maximin, Miguel Almiron and Joe Willock can thrive.

In other news, find out what controversial beIN reveal has been dropped on the potential takeover

Ralph Hasenhuttl has been boosted by the news this week that James Ward-Prowse is back in Southampton training and is in contention for today’s game against Everton.

What’s the word?

There were doubts that the club captain would be fit enough to feature at Goodison Park for the Saints’ Premier League opener after he missed much of pre-season with a knee injury.

Despite missing the friendly games against Levante, Cardiff City, Swansea City and Athletic Bilbao, the 26-year-old looks likely to start against Rafa Benitez’s side on Saturday after making his return to training earlier this week.

Hasenhuttl confirmed that the England international has proved his fitness in time for the game, saying: “He is going to be okay. I am looking forward to seeing him back on Saturday.”

A huge boost for Hasenhuttl?

Considering that Ward-Prowse has played every single minute in consecutive Premier League seasons for Southampton, it would have been a huge blow to have him missing for the opening fixture, as the Saints look to win their opening game of the season for the first time since 2013.

The 26-year-old was the Saints’ most consistent performer last season, continuing to impress despite their slide down the Premier League table in 2021, and it seems clear that he will be hugely important once again this campaign, especially following the departures of Danny Ings and Jannik Vestergaard.

Ward-Prowse contributed eight goals and seven assists in 38 Premier League appearances in 2020/21, averaging an impressive 7.07 rating from WhoScored for his performances, which was comfortably the best of any Saints player.

Therefore, it is vital that he stays fit this season, as without him you’d worry that Southampton could get dragged into a relegation battle should they continue their woeful form from the second half of last season.

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However, it seems as if he will be starting Saturday’s game against Everton, and Southampton fans will surely be delighted to see him feature and will count on him to help them earn a rare win at Goodison Park.

In other news… Hasenhuttl should unleash “brilliant” Saints gem vs Everton

Everton have already been linked with signing a number of players in the January transfer window, and Rafael Benitez will be hoping to add quality to his struggling side over the next few weeks, with another name being put into the conversation to join the squad at Goodison Park in 2022.

What’s the word?

Fabrizio Romano took to his Twitter replies to make the bold claim that the club are interested in signing Phillipe Coutinho during the transfer window.

Replying to a tweet, the transfer insider confirmed that the Toffees are in among many other clubs considering a move for the Barcelona player, claiming: “Everton are among clubs considering Coutinho. Not the only one. I think he plans to stay in Europe as priority. We’ll see.”

The £16.2m-rated star has been a hot topic of transfer speculation, as he has failed to make an impact at Camp Nou since joining the La Liga giants in 2018, scoring just two goals so far this season, which is a far cry from the expectations when the club signed him for £142m. However, he did show glimpses of talent at Bayern Munich, where he played his part in winning the Champions League on loan in 2019/20.

Despite the rumours of interest from Arsenal, Everton, Newcastle and Tottenham, it has since been reported by Mundo Deportivo that the 29-year-old could go back to Brazil amid interest from both Atlético Mineiro and Palmeiras, which the reports suggest could benefit Coutinho’s chances of getting into the national squad for the World Cup at the end of 2022.

Would it be the right move for Everton?

There is no doubt that Coutinho has talent, with Brazil team-mate Roberto Firmino gushing: “You simply can’t say that he’s not a magician. He has magical powers. He produces plays that don’t exist, that you couldn’t make up.”

However, Everton have a habit of overspending in the wrong places, and the fans will be fuming if the transfer budget is blown on a player like Coutinho, instead of investing in a number of younger prospects who can elevate the team for the future, with Demarai Gray a perfect example of the type of signings the Merseyside club need to be making.

One Everton fan took to Twitter to react to the potential signing of Coutinho, venting: “Moshiri actually cannot help himself. It’s an insane addiction he has to overpriced washed players than are nothing more than short-term solutions that don’t help us in the long run.”

Gray was signed for £1.7m in the summer and has since become Everton’s joint-top scorer this season, making an impact far beyond his market value when he joined the Blues. That has set the bar for the kind of signings Benitez needs to be making, instead of buying a player coming to the end of his peak with wage demands of £383k-p/w, a sum could easily spread across multiple other signings.

Were they to splurge on Coutinho rather than investing a similar amount across several new signings, Everton fans would surely be raging at the club, much like the example above.

In other news: This transfer target could solve one big issue for Benitez

Speaking to GiveMeSport, journalist Michael Bridge of Sky Sports has dropped a claim involving Tottenham Hotspur star Tanguy Ndombele.

The Lowdown: Ndombele pushes for move?

After all the drama surrounding Harry Kane and his eventually failed exit from Spurs in the summer, some news then emerged of another big name wanting to leave north London.

Indeed, as per reliable reports, Ndombele told Tottenham chiefs he wanted to depart N17 before August 31 with the club record signing seemingly unsettled.

Now, a few months down the line, Bridge has made a claim whilst urging the Frenchman to do one thing.

The Latest: Ndombele ‘not massively happy’…

Following his stay at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with no exit coming to fruition, Bridge says the 24-year-old is still ‘not massively happy’ as a Lilywhites player.

However, given his move failed to materialise, the reporter has urged Ndombele to knuckle down and play his way back into top form.

“We all know he wanted to go and he’s not massively happy,” the Sky reporter told GMS.

“But he needs to knuckle down, for the benefit of him if he wants to be seen on the world stage.

“He’s not even in the French squad, there’s a reason for that.”

The Verdict: Time to cut losses?

It is pretty apparent from spells of form last year that Ndombele has frightening ability.

At one stage under former boss Jose Mourinho, it looked like the Spurs star had totally revitalised his Premier League career with praise from senior players at the time, like ex-Tottenham man Joe Hart, who apparently called him ‘unplayable’.

He also finished the 2020/2021 campaign as Spurs’ best dribbler in the English top flight, completing 2.2 of them on average per 90 and eclipsing the rest of his teammates (WhoScored).

Ndombele was even hailed by Martin Keown as ‘underrated in what he does’ and a tireless worker out of possession at one point (talkSPORT), which seems unbelievable given his reputation for not running as hard as some Spurs players.

If Nuno Espirito Santo can nurture the very best out of Ndombele and rekindle his happiness at Hotspur Way, there may just be hope for the club record signing yet, but it’s all down to him.

In other news: Nuno personally tells player he can leave as Spurs green light another January exit, find out more here.

Leeds United are ‘very likely’ to sign Brenden Aaronson this summer, with the Whites readying a £25m offer.

The Lowdown: January bids for Aaronson

The 21-year-old emerged as a key transfer target for Leeds in January, with the club making two offers for the attacking midfielder.

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The second was thought to be worth £20m, but as we know, Aaronson remained with Red Bull Salzburg, which left Leeds with no senior signings in January.

However, it looks as if he is still a key target and could reunite with fellow countryman Jesse Marsch over the summer, having made 25 appearances under the 48-year-old during the Leeds manager’s time in Austria.

The Latest: Twitter claim on Aaronson

Leeds Radar, a Whites news feed, made a claim regarding Aaronson on Twitter. They suggested that the 21-year-old is ‘very likely’ to make the move to Elland Road, with a £25m bid to RB Salzburg now ready.

Aaronson already shares the same agent as six Leeds players – one of whom is Adam Forshaw, who penned a new deal in January – so you’d expect that they will already know Andrea Radrizzani well.

The Verdict: Aaronson is needed

Providing that Marsch steers Leeds to safety, the club need midfield reinforcements, and Aaronson appears to be a smart target.

He starred under the 48-year-old in Austria, contributing to 12 goals in 25 games and can also play in a deeper role or on the left. Aaronson ranks in the top 1% of players in terms of distance covered, so should slot right into Marsch’s pressing system and attempts to catch opponents on the break.

A £25m move would make him the club’s third most expensive sighing of all time, but this season has shown that Leeds could do with more numbers and quality in midfield, especially with Kalvin Philips sidelined for large periods of the campaign.

In other news – 5 key passes, 1 goal: Leeds target produces stunning midweek display as Orta eyes move

A number of Everton fans have reacted in disbelief following the club’s announcement of further first-team staff departures.

Rafael Benitez left Goodison Park on Sunday after being relieved of his duties as first-team manager.

Following Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to relegation-threatened Norwich City, the Toffees have still only managed to pick up one win in the Premier League since the end ofSeptember. As a result, it is no surprise to see the former Newcastle boss get the sack, with Everton a dismal 16th place in the table.

Following on from Benitez’s departure, an official club announcement revealed that a further four Everton coaches have now parted ways with the club following Benitez’s dismissal. As reported by The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Francisco de Miguel Moreno, Antonio Gomez, Jamie Harley and Cristian Fernandez have left the club’s “first-team technical staff with immediate effect”.

De Miguel Moreno worked as Benitez’s assistant manager, alongside first-team coach and senior analyst Gomez, head of sports science Harley and first-team rehabilitation fitness coach Fernandez.

Many Everton fans react to further departures

Following an official tweet from the club announcing the four coaches’ departures, many Everton fans flocked to the comments to express their disbelief with the whole situation.

Here’s what these fans had to say:

“How about a statement in regards to the direction of this club that we all love? Why is that so hard for anyone, in any senior role at the club, to understand that’s what we as fans demand?”

Credit: @jdhein13

“lads we have no staff or anything, get Danny Donachie back and get some of the best staff out there”

Credit: @jayefc_

“So we sacked all of ours for his, now we have nothing, ahahahahahah nice one”

Credit: @EFCAaron1

“When is Bill Kenwright leaving and Moshiri selling?”

Credit: @PatrickDrohan

“can we get a club statement that explains the actions of our leadership?”

Credit: @gromszgrad

“Thought this was going to be something telling us your intentions going forward, but that’d actually be transparent, so why would you?”

Credit: @Gazzz1995

“Is there anyone left who actually works there?!?! My word.”

Credit: @efc_alex

In other news: ‘Top professional’, ‘I’d be very happy’ – Many Everton fans purring as club ‘great’ could return to Goodison Park