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Journalist Tim Spiers has been critical of Francisco Trincao’s performance for Wolves against Everton, despite their eventual 2-1 victory.

The Lowdown: Wolves pick up another win

Bruno Lage’s side are enjoying an excellent run of form at the moment and that continued on Monday night.

Wolves saw off Everton at Molineux in deserved fashion, thanks to first-half goals from Max Kilman and Raul Jimenez, rising to seventh place in the Premier League in the process.

Lage’s men have now picked up 16 points from a possible 21 in their last seven games – only Chelsea (18) and Arsenal (17) have fared better in that time, as revealed by Talking Wolves on Twitter.

The Latest: Spiers criticises Trincao

Despite the win, The Athletic‘s Spiers was disappointed with Trincao’s ‘sloppy’ showing, with the Portuguese losing possession 15 times (Sofascore) overall:

“Trincao almost scored a beauty and should have netted an easy chance…some brilliant touches but also sloppy in possession.”

The Verdict: Needs to improve

Trincao has been a solid enough performer for Wolves so far this season, but more substance is required, with no goals and assists in the league suggesting he lacks end product.

His performance against Everton wasn’t as influential as others – 15 times losing the ball from 54 touches means he surrendered possession about 28 per cent of the times he had it – and Adama Traore could now be pushing for a start away to Crystal Palace on Saturday.

At 21, Trincao is still developing as a footballer, however, so some inconsistency should be expected at this stage in his career.

In other news, three players excelled in the win over Everton. Find out who they are here.

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in a deal to bring Kalidou Koulibaly to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Italian publication Il Mattino (via Sport Witness), who claim that Fabio Paratici has already made contact with Aurelio De Laurentiis concerning a deal for the Napoli centre-back ahead of the opening of the summer market.

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However, the report goes on to state that, at present, the Serie A side are not considering any offers due to still being in with an outside chance of winning the Scudetto – with the southern Italian side believed to be waiting to make a decision on the future of the 30-year-old until they know what lies ahead of them in 2022/23.

Better than Bremer

Considering just how impressive Koulibaly has been for Napoli ever since his £6.98m move to the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium back in 2014, it is easy to see why Conte would be keen on a deal for the Senegal international this summer.

Indeed, while Koulibaly has averaged seasonal SofaScore match ratings of 7.00 or above in each of the six complete seasons the website has been recording data for the Italian leagues, the current campaign has arguably been the centre-back’s most impressive for Gli Azzurri.

Over his 23 Serie A appearances this term, the £40.5m-rated defender has been imperious in the heart of Luciano Spalletti’s backline, helping his side keep eight clean sheets, as well as making an average of 1.1 interceptions, 1.5 tackles, three clearances and winning 4.3 duels – at a success rate of 58% – per game.

The £177k-per-week player who Conor Clancy dubbed a “phenomenal” talent also impressed going forwards, scoring two goals, registering two assists and creating two big chances for his teammates, in addition to making an average of 53.3 passes, 3.3 long balls, 0.4 key passes and completing 0.7 dribbles per fixture.

These returns have seen the 30-year-old average a quite remarkable SofaScore match rating of 7.19, not only ranking him as Napoli’s third-best player in the Italian top flight but also as the third-best defender in the division as a whole – as well as bettering the average rating of another of Spurs’ reported summer transfer targets, Gleison Bremer, by a score of 0.01.

And, with it being reported that Napoli would demand a figure in the region of €40m (£33m) in order to part with Koulibaly this summer – around €10m (£8.5m) less than Bremer’s asking price – these are two strong arguments that could be made for the Senegal sensation being the better signing for Spurs.

AND in other news: “100%” – Fabrizio Romano drops Spurs transfer claim that will leave supporters buzzing

As per Mundo Deportivo, relayed by Sport Witness, Newcastle United have an exact bid amount in mind to sign Atletico Madrid defender Kieran Trippier in January.

The Lowdown: Magpies eye moves…

The first transfer window of the new PIF era is dawning, with Newcastle supporters arguably curious to see whether their new owners will back Eddie Howe with major incomings during the month.

Currently in the midst of a relegation battle, their business after the New Year could be crucial in maintaining their hopes of staying in the Premier League and kickstarting an interesting age for the club.

They have already been linked with some major signings, including Trippier, with the latest from Spain detailing just how much Newcastle could be willing to spend on his capture.

The Latest: Newcastle willing to table £25.3m…

As per Mundo Deportivo (relayed by Sport Witness), the Magpies are willing to table an eight-figure bid of £25.3m to sign Trippier for Howe next month.

According to their information, the England international also wants to return to his homeland and the Premier League, as Atletico also contemplate selling to bolster their own transfer kitty.

The Verdict: Get it done…

The right-back, labelled ‘sensational’ by former Celtic and West Ham striker Frank McAvennie (Football Insider), would certainly strengthen Howe’s defensive options and Newcastle’s survival chances.

Trippier would come with a plethora of experience performing on the biggest stages in world football and the 35-cap international’s exploits at the 2018 World Cup with England are well known.

His free kick against Croatia in the semi-finals of the tournament is one indicator of his technical quality, while he has also averaged an impressive 2.7 tackles per 90 over three Champions League starts this season (WhoScored).

That’s more than any Magpies defender has managed in the English top flight by comparison and it will be interesting to see whether PIF will truly back Howe with his addition to the squad.

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

Newcastle United are showing interest in former Tottenham midfielder Christian Eriksen, according to The Times (via The Chronicle).

The lowdown

The 29-year-old hasn’t played since he suffered a cardiac arrest during Denmark’s Euro 2020 opener against Finland last June.

In December, Inter Milan terminated his contract by mutual consent, in the knowledge that Eriksen would not be able to play in Serie A because he has an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator fitted. However, he can feature in another league where the rules are different.

The midfielder racked up 226 Premier League appearances during his seven-year stint at Spurs from 2013 to 2020.

The latest

According to The Times, Newcastle are said to be among three Premier League clubs keen on signing Eriksen, alongside Brentford and Leicester City.

Brentford’s interest is the most advanced, with the Bees offering the Dane a contract until the end of the season. Therefore, Newcastle may quickly have to present a rival offer to ensure that they don’t lose out.

The verdict

Eriksen was excellent for Spurs, recording 159 direct goal contributions (69 goals, 90 assists) in his 305 appearances.

His overall career tallies stand at an impressive 114 goals and 158 assists, and his individual accolades include a PFA Team of the Year nod, the Premier League Goal of the Month for April 2018 and a FIFPro World XI nomination. Newcastle fans may also remember that he netted a direct free-kick against them in a 3-1 win for Spurs in 2015.

Given that he hasn’t played in so long and is coming back from such a serious medical episode, this would have to be have regarded as a risky move. On the other hand, he would be arriving on a free transfer and, if Newcastle match Brentford’s proposal, on a short-term contract.

Perhaps it’s worth a go.

In other news, Newcastle are plotting an £18m raid on this Premier League club.

Aston Villa have reignited their interest in Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma.

That’s according to The Telegraph’s John Percy and Sam Wallace, which unsurprisingly has had a number of Villa fans talking on social media.

The reliable reporters shared the update on the morning of deadline day, revealing that a ‘key decision’ is set to be made today over a late January move or whether to wait until the summer.

Villa reportedly had a £25m bid turned down earlier this month for the Brighton midfielder and failed in their pursuit of Rodrigo Bentancur, but it seems as if they could attempt a late swoop for the Mali international.

Bissouma is now back from the Africa Cup of Nations and has less than 18 months remaining on his contract, with both Manchester United and Tottenham also credited with a late interest on Twitter.

Villa fans react

Well-known fan feed @villareport relayed Percy and Wallace’s claim on Twitter. It had these Villa supporters excited, with many urging Johan Lange to push through with a late deadline day deal.

“DO IT TODAY!”

Credit: @JordAVFCx

“Lange at the back post”

Credit: @avfctom_

“Would be unreal if we get him”

Credit: @GW_94

“Get it done today!!!!”

Credit: @SamSamchilton9

“Pleaseeeeee ”

Credit: @_JackAvfc

“Don’t play with my emotions, he’d be class”

Credit: @Mattachu_Avfc

In other news: ‘Hats off to the board’ – Sky Sports man purrs at ‘amazing’ out-of-the-blue Villa transfer news. 

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The Fulham fans could not quite believe what head coach Claudio Ranieri did during Friday night’s Premier League clash with West Ham United.

At the interval of the match, with Fulham 2-1 down, Ranieri decided to bring both Jean Michael Seri and Ryan Sessegnon off, with Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Lazar Markovic entering the field.

It would be fair to say that the double change did not go down well with the Fulham supporters, with many taking to social media to blast their head coach.

As it transpired, Fulham suffered a 3-1 defeat at the London Stadium, despite taking the lead in the early stages through Ryan Babel, so it’s safe to say the half-time switch-up didn’t work out.

Indeed, goals from Javier Hernandez, Issa Diop and Michail Antonio secured the points for the Hammers, leaving Fulham in 19th position in the table, eight points from safety.

A selection of the Twitter reaction from the struggling club’s fans – in relation to the double substitution at the break – can be seen below:

Zinedine Ferhat would be ‘one of the better players in the SPFL’ if he joined Celtic, journalist Adam White has told GiveMeSport. 

The lowdown

French outlet Foot Mercato reported earlier this month that the 28-year-old was poised to move on from Nimes during the January transfer window. The £4m-rated midfielder is into the final six months of his contract and Celtic were named among his admirers, with the player’s ‘profile’ and ‘low cost’ appealing to the Glasgow club.

The Hoops may now be even more keen to snap him up after Callum McGregor, who like Ferhat can play in an attacking midfield role, suffered a serious facial injury. The Celtic captain is reportedly due to have surgery this week and, according to injury expert Ben Dinnery, he could face up to eight weeks on the sidelines.

The latest

White, who covers French football for The Guardian, Get French Football News and Football Radar, waxed lyrical about Ferhat when speaking to GiveMeSport. He explained that the Nimes maestro would bring not only quality to Celtic, but also useful versatility.

The journalist gushed: “I think for Celtic, absolutely, he’d be a really good option. He can play as a number 10, can also play out wide and as an attacking midfielder, very graceful, creative, and I think he’d improve Celtic’s team and would be one of the better players in the SPFL.”

The verdict

It’s hard to argue with White’s assessment. Last season, Ferhat was one of the top creators in Ligue 1, notching 10 assists despite his team being relegated – only Lyon’s Memphis Depay bettered that tally.

The French top flight is ranked as the fifth-best league in Europe, four places above the Scottish Premiership in UEFA’s coefficient, so you’d think that Ferhat really could boss proceedings here if he made the move to Parkhead.

He only earns £9,000 per week in France, which is roughly equivalent to what reserve goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas is making at Celtic. When you put it that way, it should be easy for them to present an appealing contract offer to the Nimes midfielder, who could be a timely target given McGregor’s unfortunate convalescence.

In other news, this Hoops talent is wanted by a leading Premier League club

Aston Villa midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka will not sign a new contract at Villa Park, according to The Guardian.

And, as to be expected, a number of Villa fans have been giving their thoughts to the news on social media.

Chukwuemeka, described as a player who ‘can do everything in midfield’, was handed his first Premier League start earlier this season in a 0-0 draw with Brentford.

However, the 18-year-old hasn’t featured in the top flight since, with his current deal in the Midlands set to expire in 18 months’ time.

According to The Guardian, Chukwuemeka has decided that his future doesn’t lie with Villa and therefore won’t be penning fresh terms under Steven Gerrard.

The report adds that has put the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United on alert over a potential future move.

Villa fans react

Well-known page @villareport shared the update regarding Chukwuemeka on Twitter on Friday evening.

This is what some had to say, with many unhappy at losing a possible future star and one labelling it as ‘huge’.

“Delete”

Credit: @catrinavfc

“Pain”

Credit: @Dowlerzzz

“This is huge. I know he has time to change his mind etc. We need to be offering these youngsters, that we are spending £m’s on buying & training, a clear way through. JJ is becoming a 1st team player, the rest need minutes too.”

Credit: @Bense1980

“Ridiculous if true”

Credit: @T_AVFC

“Dean Smith has blood on his hands the guy is the next Pogba”

Credit: @Leonnyoung

“Huge mistake by us.”

Credit: @dpfinna

In other news: BBC Radio 5 Live pundit tips Villa to sign 24-assist beast who ‘Gerrard likes’ as links emerge. 

You would’ve been forgiven for being concerned for Wolves when first-choice goalkeeper Rui Patricio left the West Midlands to join AS Roma last summer for a reported figure of £9.8m.

The Black Country club eventually recruited Jose Sa from Olympiakos for £6.25m, a signing which has proven to be a masterstroke.

In the Portuguese goalkeeper’s first season in the Premier League, he has kept 11 clean sheets in 32 appearances so far, conceding just 28 goals in that space of time.

To put that figure into context, during Patricio’s time at Molineux, Sa’s fellow countryman kept 37 clean sheets in 127 appearances, conceding 151 goals – an average of a clean sheet every 3.43 games and 1.19 goals per game, compared to Sa’s 2.91 and 0.86 respectively.

The 34-year-old was a key figure for Wolves, signing for the Old Gold following their promotion to the top flight in 2018, but he has been replaced excellently with a figure who could well be number one for plenty of years to come.

Not only has Sa been an excellent recruit, but the deal to purchase him is now looking like a bargain.

To have paid just £6.25m for a goalkeeper who currently averages less than a goal conceded per game in the Premier League is astounding, especially when you consider the astronomical £71.6m fee that Chelsea paid for the error-prone Kepa Arrizabalaga in 2018.

The £17k-p/w Sa, who was hailed as “dominant” by former Molineux ‘keeper Matt Murray, has also been a major contribution to Wolves’ status as the Premier League’s fourth-best defence.

According to Transfermarkt, the goalkeeper was valued at £6.75m when Wolves signed him, making the £6.25m fee a pretty fair deal. However, after a stellar maiden campaign at Molineux, the 29-year-old has seen his value rise to £12.6m, just over double the transfer fee paid for him.

It’s a colossal increase when considering that, for the majority of Sa’s career, he has been valued at under £2.5m. If this form is to continue, then surely a first senior cap for Portugal isn’t far away.

Patricio is still the country’s number one with an impressive 102 caps for his national team but, like at Wolves, Sa could be his eventual heir in the coming years.

One thing seem certain – Bruno Lage certainly won’t be looking to change the man between the sticks for a very long time.

In other news – Fewer touches than Sa: Wolves “hindrance” who lost 79% duels badly failed Lage against Newcastle

After a decent start to the season with four wins from their opening six Premier League games, Everton have been on a rather rough run of form by losing five and drawing two of their seven previous league outings.

In those seven previous games, Everton have managed to concede 13 goals in the process, highlighting their defensive frailties at the moment.

This could potentially have something to do with the fact that they’ve had centre-back Yerry Mina out injured with a thigh issue since October.

Taking this into account, now could be the best time for Benitez one of Everton’s young defensive talents who has hardly had a look-in so far this season.

19-year-old centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite has only played 57 minutes of action for Everton this season which came during their 2-1 win against Huddersfield Town in the Carabao Cup.

With recent reports suggesting that Everton will look to send the defender out on loan in January after securing him on a long-term contract, it could be the better option for the Toffees to keep him in the squad but give him some regular Premier League minutes instead of loaning him out

Not only would it be a good time to give Branthwaite his first taste of Premier League action this season to try and fix their recent defensive issues, but it would also give the teenager some useful experience of playing in the top-flight alongside his senior teammates after not making an appearance in the league last year and only making four the season before.

Also, given how Branthwaite has already had some experience of playing in the Championship when he joined Blackburn Rovers on a loan deal last season where he made a total of ten appearances

Labelled as a “terrific footballer” by Steven Pressley – Branthwaite’s former coach at Carlisle United – the defender should be given the chance to see if he can have a positive impact on the team and turn their fortunes around in the league.

If Benitez has no intention of playing him in the league anytime soon, it could be in Branthwaite’s best interest in terms of his development if he did go out on loan to another Championship club and got some regular playing minutes under his belt again.

However, it would be good for the Toffees if they were able to seal his signature on a new long-term deal beforehand as he could end up saving them millions of pounds in potential future transfer fees given his young age if they need to replace the likes of Mina and Michael Keane in the next few years.

With the former linked with a move away, the young Everton defender could be a viable successor.

In other news: Brands could solve Rafa’s big Everton issue by signing “intelligent” £19.8m-rated ace – opinion