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
Harry Kane has insisted that he wants to leave Tottenham Hotspur this summer and if he does end up leaving the north London club, Dean Windass has backed Steven Bergwijn to replace the golden boot winner.
Even for Kane’s high standards last season was a special one as he finished as the Premier League’s top scorer for the third time, but also finished the campaign with the most assists in the league. However, that was not enough to win the PFA Player of the Year award.
Since arriving in January 2020, Bergwijn has failed to impress on a consistent basis managing just four goals in 51 league appearances, but under a new manager and in a new role he could flourish and prove why Spurs brought him from PSV Eindhoven.
He has only ever been deployed as a striker 11 times as he has spent most of his career as a winger, but to save his club several million this summer he could put his hat in the ring to replace Kane if he goes, according to Windass who spoke exclusively to Football FanCast:
“It could be a situation now where it’s a great opportunity for him because he could say he’s number one now if Kane does end up leaving. I know he’s played in the wide areas but the boy is a talent.
“He’s only a young boy and I watched the Spurs documentary and when he signed he looked quite happy and his family were quite happy. So he’ll be rubbing his hands together now, not for the fact that he’s losing Harry Kane but because it’s a great opportunity for the kid.”
It would not likely be a good replacement for Kane in the eyes of Tottenham fans considering Kane is regarded as one of the best strikers in world football, whereas Bergwijn has only ever scored more than nine goals in a season once.
If the worst does happen and Kane leaves, whoever is the new manager will have a very large transfer budget to sort the squad out and improve it in almost every area after a very poor previous campaign.
Paul Robinson has suggested Celtic could made another move for Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster in the summer.
Robinson discusses Forster
Forster spent last term on loan at Parkhead from the Saints, and has made 236 appearances for the Scottish side across a number of spells throughout his career (Transfermarkt).
Speaking to Football Insider, Robinson has suggested the Bhoys could make another move for the £3.6m-valued 33-year-old (Transfermarkt). He said:
“I worry because the pressure will be even greater next season when the fans are back in. As for Barkas, his future will be dependant on what manager comes in though.
“Celtic missed a trick by not re-signing Fraser Forster. He was amazing up there last season. I think he is a top goalkeeper.
“I am surprised as to why he stayed at Southampton. Maybe they will try again to sign him in the summer because it is a position they will need to strengthen in.
“If I was a new manager going in there I would be looking to sign a new number one.”
Role to play
Forster has had to spend much of the campaign at St. Mary’s Stadium as back-up to Alex McCarthy. However, in the 10 matches he has played in all competitions, he has kept six clean sheets. The Saints are through to the semi-finals of the F.A Cup without having conceded a goal in the competition, and Forster has played in all of those games so far.
McCarthy has come under fire at times this term after a number of mistakes – perhaps Forster may have a chance to stake a claim as Ralph Hasenhuttl’s number one next season. As such, he may be better staying at Southampton than returning to Celtic once more.
In other news, Southampton fans slammed this man against West Brom.
Wolverhampton Wanderers have once again been linked with a move for Brentford striker Ivan Toney this summer.
According to a recent report by 90min (via Birmingham Live), Bruno Lage is in the market for adding a striker to his squad ahead of next season, although his side could be priced out of a move for the Englishman.
Toney has settled into the top-flight excellently after catapulting the Bees into the Premier League last term with 33 Championship goals, finding the back of the net 12 times in the current campaign for Thomas Frank’s side, who now look all but safe after their first season in the first division.
Having played in League One, the Championship and now the Premier League over the last three seasons, the 26-year-old’s rise up the English football ladder has been remarkable.
Netting 139 senior goals over the course of his career, Toney has been a kingpin for Frank’s men, despite only joining in September 2020.
The Danish manager has previously labelled the striker as “special” whilst also claiming that he has the “mindset of a lion.”
The former Newcastle youth player has quickly established himself as one of England’s most prolific forwards and is certainly destined for bigger things, with no disrespect to Brentford.
Although the Englishman would see sides that can offer European football as a preference, joining Wolves would certainly be a step up with the West Midlands club enjoying a successful first campaign under the management of Bruno Lage.
The Old Gold currently find themselves eighth in the Premier League, although they are three points behind seventh-placed West Ham with a game in hand.
Securing European football is still very realistic for Lage’s men which, if they are successful in doing so, will make them a much more attractive prospect for potential signings.
Despite their strong campaign, quality in the final third has frequently been lacking for Wolves who have scored just 33 goals in 32 matches – with only Brighton, Burnley, Watford and Norwich have scored fewer.
Therefore, adding a prolific striker will certainly be a priority for the Portuguese manager.
This season has seen the return of forward Raul Jimenez after a horrific skull fracture that could’ve easily forced the Mexican into early retirement.
However, while the 30-year-old is Wolves’ joint-top goalscorer this term, he has been well below the standard previously set prior to his injury, scoring just six goals.
Although there were extra matches with the West Midlands outfit reaching the quarter-final of the Europa League, the 2019/20 campaign saw Jimenez score a whopping 27 goals and assist a further 10 in 55 games.
Moreover, the season prior saw the Mexican find the back of the net on 17 occasions in 44 appearances.
Had Wolves’ defence not been as good as it has been this campaign, the Golden Boys would undoubtedly find themselves well out of contention for a European spot.
Therefore, adding a more consistent goalscorer over the summer is vital as Lage’s men cannot rely on solely shutting teams out regularly to progress. With a good record, plenty of potential and top-flight experience, Toney would be an excellent candidate.
AND in other news: Huge blow: Wolves dealt late injury setback ahead of Burnley, Lage will be gutted
It looks as if Rangers could well lose Jermaine Defoe this summer when his contract with Steven Gerrard’s side expires and Fashion Sakala could prove to be the ideal replacement for the veteran at Ibrox.
Paul Robinson suggested recently that should Defoe depart this summer, he wouldn’t be short on offers from Championship sides, or from his old side Sunderland, and with no contract extension on the horizon, it seems increasingly likely that the 38-year-old will leave.
One man who could be brought in as his replacement in KV Oostende striker Sakala, with the Zimbabwe forward having been heavily linked with a move to the Gers in recent months.
His contract with the Belgian Pro League side is also set to expire in the summer and he is said to be interested in a move to Ibrox, so it seems as if the 23-year-old could be a solid replacement from a financial perspective.
This season has been an impressive one for Sakala, as he has managed 13 goals and three assists in 25 appearances in the Belgian top-flight, so it is no surprise to see him being linked with a move away.
Although this season has been something of a breakthrough for Sakala, his goalscoring return certainly suggests that he knows where the back of the net is and at just 23, he still has a lot of time to improve, so could become an excellent player under Gerrard’s tutelage at Rangers.
WhoScored suggests that the striker’s main strength is his finishing, which already marks him out as a good potential replacement for Defoe, whilst it also suggests that he likes to dribble and offers a counter-attacking threat, which suggests that he could potentially be a game-changer for Rangers next season should he make the move to Ibrox.
Therefore, with his contract with Oostende still set to expire at the end of the season, Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson should go all out to try and bring him to Ibrox on a free transfer this summer to replace the outgoing Defoe.
The youngster has got game-changing ability and under Gerrard, he could go from strength to strength.
And, in other news… 0 appearances in 4 years: Wilson should axe Rangers flop who’s stealing a wage
Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon believes that Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney could end up signing for Manchester City in the future and if Lennon is right, the Scottish full-back could be a superb addition to Pep Guardiola’s side at the Etihad.
What’s the word?
Writing for The Times, Lennon sang Tierney’s praises and tipped him for a move north this summer, saying:
“When I had him at Celtic, Kieran was really confused about what to do in terms of leaving because the club meant so much to him.
“Ambition and finances meant he made the right call for his career. For me, he’s Arsenal’s best player.
“I could see him going to Manchester City, he’s got all the tools to play for them.
“He’s maybe not got the all-rounded left foot that Andy [Robertson] has, that natural whip, but he’s got everything else and he sees things. He’s so athletic and powerful.”
Would he be a good signing?
Since signing for Arsenal from Celtic in the summer of 2019, Tierney has gone on to make 62 appearances for the Gunners, contributing three goals and nine assists.
During his time with the Scottish Premiership side, he was a superb attacking threat, managing eight goals and 37 assists in 170 appearances for the Bhoys in all competitions.
This emphasises that he can be a left-back in the mould of Benjamin Mendy, although, hopefully, without the injury issues of the Frenchman, and he would offer a more direct, natural threat than Oleksandr Zinchenko or Joao Cancelo down the left-hand side for City next season.
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Although he has only been with Mikel Arteta’s side for a short while, their failure to qualify for Europe could perhaps see him want to leave the Emirates and if City could ever find a buyer for Mendy, then Scotland international would be a strong replacement, as Lennon suggests.
He also regularly plays as a centre-back for Scotland which would open up more possibilities for Guardiola next season in City’s side, so he certainly seems like the sort of player the Spanish manager would love to have in his squad.
Legendary left-back Ashley Cole was full of praise for Tierney last season, saying:
“When he’s in the team, they are a different team, he’s willing to defend, he’s that kind of leader and warrior they need in this team.”
[freshpress-quiz id=“577936″]
Therefore, after Lennon’s claim, City sporting director Txiki Begiristain should definitely consider a summer move for the £28.8m-rated Tierney this summer.
And, in other news… Forget Rodri: Pep may already have his Fernandinho heir at City in “incredible” beast
Former Tottenham Hotspur star Graham Roberts insists that the club have to fix their defence this summer, potentially needing to sign three players to do so.
Spurs have appointed Fabio Paratici as their managing director of football, and he will be a key part of the club’s summer, as he looks to identify new players and also move them on.
Roberts believes that the club need to make fixing the club’s defence a priority as they look to compete at the top end of the league once again.
He says that left-back Sergio Reguilon has the ability to become an excellent player, but believes two new centre-backs are required, along with a right-back.
And he has made the claim that Paratici may have to pay as much as £150m to do so.
It is a major job for Paratici to do, and it remains to be seen if three defensive players will be recruited this summer.
Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, the former Spurs skipper said: “We need a back four. The left-back’s decent, he gives silly goals away, alright, we understand that, he was a bit nervous, but I’m sure he can become really, really good.
“But you need a right-back, you need a centre-half and you need a centre-half. That’s £100 million, or £120 million, £150 million; if you want two decent centre-halves, they’re going to cost you £40 or £45m, that’s £90m.”
According to recent reports, there is a 75% probability that Tottenham Hotspur go on to sign Marcel Sabitzer this summer.
The report by Bild (via Sport Witness) claims that, with Sabitzer’s contract set to expire in the summer of 2022 and with RB Leipzig aware that the 27-year-old will not be signing an extension, the Bundesliga side could look to offload the midfielder this summer.
Furthermore, it is stated that the Austria international would like to leave the German club in the next transfer window, with a switch to the Premier League being his goal. It is also claimed that, with no release clause present in his contract at Leipzig, Julian Nagelsmann’s side will be demanding a fee of around €42m (£36m) to part with the 27-year-old.
Finally, it is claimed that Daniel Levy will have enough cash to fund a move for the £78,000-per-week midfielder as long as Spurs manage to sell Dele Alli, with Bild claiming that there is a 75% probability that Sabitzer’s switch to Tottenham goes through.
Transfer Tavern Take
With Mourinho thought to be a fan of Sabitzer, while the 58-year-old appears to hold a very different view on Alli – whom he has handed just two Premier League starts so far this season – it is not a difficult scenario to imagine that the Spurs manager will be doing all he can to persuade Levy to get a deal done for the Austrian midfielder this summer.
However, with Levy reluctant to offload Alli in previous transfer windows, as well as Mourinho’s future in north London not appearing to be particularly certain, whether or not the Spurs chairman gives in to the will of the Portuguese manager remains to be seen.
In other news: Levy is set to battle several PL clubs for the signing of ‘the next Zlatan Ibrahimovic’ – find out more here!
At the end of last season, Celtic forward Odsonne Edouard gleefully revealed his excitement at potentially winning ten in a row.
For the Hoops, it felt inevitable. The script was written and it was a foregone conclusion that Neil Lennon’s men would cap off a historic decade of dominance.
However, we should all know by now that very rarely does sport follow a script. This season, the paper has been torn to shreds and rewritten with unrelenting drama at Parkhead.
Celtic are no longer the crushing force they used to be and have relinquished their grasp on the Premiership to their biggest rivals Rangers. They have handed it over on a silver platter too, as the Gers went unbeaten and eventually finished 25 points ahead of the Bhoys.
It has been an embarrassing campaign but, for every torrid result on the pitch, matters off it have also been rough as well. Fans have protested and the club’s hunt for a new manager has not made proceedings any easier.
Lennon left Paradise at the back end of February and they still haven’t replaced him.
Eddie Howe is the name on everyone’s lips but whether he comes to Glasgow is uncertain. A deal is in place but, with the 43-year-old waiting on the result of Bournemouth’s season to ascertain whether he can lure some of their coaches to Parkhead, he has not yet signed on the dotted line.
If a deal for Howe falls through, Dermot Desmond and Dominic McKay need to focus their efforts on hiring Lucien Favre.
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The Swiss coach has been on their radar over the last few months and an interview has even taken place.
The 63-year-old might not possess the same energy as the younger Howe but his football certainly preaches a modern and forward-thinking game. His bold and exciting style reinvigorated Borussia Dortmund when he was first hired by the German outfit, sticking by a principle he set out on his first day in the job.
“Of course my wish is that we can play through our entire team, starting from the goalkeeper, finding intelligent ways to get to the goal,” Favre commented upon his arrival at Signal Iduna Park.
For a Celtic side who love to dominate possession, amassing 61.9% of the ball this season, that would be ideal.
The Hoops have been missing a patient approach with the likes of Callum McGregor and Ryan Christie intent on shooting from distance. Favre would be all too keen to inform them that this isn’t the most intelligent of ways to goal – instead, he’d help Celtic’s attackers to find better spaces and more creative passing to unlock a massed defence.
A passage which perfectly illustrates his brand of football can be found on the Bundesliga’s official website. It reads: “If Jürgen Klopp’s BVB played ‘heavy metal football’, Favre’s Dortmund are modern jazz: there’s a lot of room for improvisation and individual expression, but it’s within a well-defined framework that ensures all the pieces fit harmoniously.”
Dortmund never won the German top flight under his stewardship but they scored goals in abundance and recovered well from nearly crashing out of the Champions League places.
Soccer Football – Champions League – Group F – Borussia Dortmund v Club Brugge – Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany – November 24, 2020 Borussia Dortmund coach Lucien Favre before the match Pool via REUTERS/Leon Kuegeler
BVB scored the second-most goals in the Bundesliga last term, netting 84 during a season where they fell just short to Champions League winners Bayern Munich. Favre was eventually sacked but the job he did in Germany was impressive, losing just 24 of his 110 matches in charge and leading them through a testing transition period.
Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast earlier this year, Bundesliga expert Daniel Pinder said: “Obviously he was at Nice in France and then he replaced Thomas Tuchel at Borussia Dortmund, so it wasn’t a big rebuild. But they lost players like Ousmane Dembele, [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang and he had to bring in those other players for, you know, less funds than they had.
Pinder continued: “Looking at it, hehasdoneadecentjobatrebuilding. Whetherhecangointoajobthat’salreadythereallsetupforhim, Ithinkthat’sadifferentmatter. But if he goes into a rebuild job, I think it’d be a pretty decent appointment.”
Coincidentally, this is a similar job with the one he would face at Parkhead. Celtic are in danger of losing the likes of Edouard and Kristoffer Ajer, so they will likely need to find cost-effective ways to replace them.
One of the ways Favre replaced Dembele was to introduce Jadon Sancho into the fray. Signed from Manchester City in 2017, he has become one of the most electrifying young wingers in European football. Since moving to Germany, he has scored 50 goals and registered 64 assists in 136 appearances.
With Karamoko Dembele coming through at Celtic, Favre could look towards him to have a similar impact in replacing the likes of Mohamed Elyounoussi and Christie.
Described as “outstanding” by Germany international Mario Gotze, he’s clearly admired by players with whom he has crossed paths.
There is plenty to like about Favre; he plays attractive football, can change the fortunes of a football club and is good with young footballers. That makes him pretty perfect for Celtic in our book.
AND in other news, Sky Sports pundit makes big Celtic manager claim, it could upset Desmond & McKay…
Many West Ham United fans have been angered on Twitter, following a disappointing performance from goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski in their 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon.
Enduring a frustrating afternoon between the sticks, the Poland international’s torrid time between the sticks was summarised perfectly in the stats, receiving a measly 5.9/10 match rating from SofaScore – the lowest of any Irons player.
In an entertaining London clash, Fabianski struggled immensely with the first Palace goal of the day, failing to turn Conor Gallagher’s routine effort round the post as it slithered into the bottom corner [Guardian].
Rounding off the scorers, Pablo Fornals and Michail Antonio netted for the Hammers, whilst Gallagher converted another close-range strike to give Palace a share of the points.
In light of their first dropped points of the campaign, no wonder loads of West Ham United fans took to Twitter to protest Fabianski’s display.
West Ham United fans react:
Replying to multiple outlets on Twitter, here is what some supporters had to say about recent developments:
“Only a matter of time before Areola is in goal imo. 6 shots on target faced an 5 goals conceded.”
Credit: @westhamtransfer”Fabianski really isn’t it anymore unfortunately surely only a matter of time before Areola comes in.”Credit: @OC02_”Fabianski isn’t number 1 quality”Credit: @1bbyWHU”No way should Fabianski be getting beat at that angle for the first goal, shambles”Credit: @whujack7″About time fabianski got the boot. Cost us points last season. And will cost us this season”Credit: @abush90″Spot on. Midfield was non existent. Dawson isn’t good enough at all. Find fabianski frustrating, since his injury don’t think he’s been anywhere near the same.”Credit: @robson1896In other news, West Ham fans react to Europa League fixture confirmation. Find out who they got here.