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Nathan Tella is set to remain in the Championship with Burnley for the rest of the season despite his fine form while on loan with the Clarets.

The Lowdown: Tella enjoying Championship life

Southampton allowed Tella to leave the club last summer and join Burnley on a season-long loan, with the winger playing 25 Championship games so far this season, grabbing nine goals and two assists.

The winger is the club’s joint top-goalscorer in all competitions with Benson Manuel, Anass Zaroury and Jay Rodriguez, in what is the first senior loan move of his career.

The Latest: Jones happy with Tella

Speaking to The Athletic, Saints manager Nathan Jones said he was not considering the possibility of recalling Tella from Burnley and is really pleased with the progress he’s made in the Championship.

The 23-year-old has excelled at Turf Moor and has helped his side to sit five points clear at the top of the second tier.

He stated: “No, not at the minute [on considering recalling Tella],

“We’re really happy with Nathan, he’s doing fantastically well at Burnley.

“He’s having a really good experience and he is flying.

“But with the greatest of respect, for him to come back and do that at Premier League level, we are not sure.

“Nathan is doing fantastic under Vincent [Kompany] and is having a wonderful season for his development.

“At the end of the season, there’s is a big decision to make, but it’s been a really productive long for him and it is in his benefit to stay there.”

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The Verdict: Good news for Burnley

Jones’ comments will surely come with a huge sigh of relief from the Burnley side of things as he’s been such an important player for them.

Speaking at a press conference in December (via Lancs Live), Kompany labelled Tella as one of the ‘driving forces’ behind his Burnley side.

There’s a debate to be had on who’s the more important of the two Clarets wingers in the form of Tella and Zaroury, as both have the same amount of goals in all competitions.

The duo have an incredible goal-per-game tally, but Tella comes out on top for non-penalty goals scored from the last year per 90 minutes. He averages 0.51 goals a game and Zaroury is very close with a tally of 0.38.

Furthermore, the 23-year-old produces 2.62 shot-creating actions per match, which also trumps the Moroccan’s average of 1.99.

As far as goalscoring and creating chances in concerned, we think the loanee has proven that he’s been their most important attacking threat this season as they aim to bounce straight back up.

Rangers are reportedly weighing up a potential January transfer move for St Mirren midfielder Keanu Baccus. 

The Lowdown: Baccus’ season so far

Having joined the Saints during the previous summer transfer window from Western Sydney, the 24-year-old has gone on to make 17 appearances for the club across the SPFL and the Scottish League Cup.

The midfielder also appeared in all four of Australia’s World Cup games during the recent tournament in Qatar.

Now that the January transfer window is set to open on Sunday, Baccus has found himself already being linked with a move away from St Mirren.

The Latest: Rangers eyeing Baccus

According to a recent report from The Scottish Sun, Rangers have been scouting Baccus and see him as a potential target for the January transfer window.

The report also adds that St Mirren are not likely to stand in Baccus’ way to leave the club if a suitable transfer offer comes in for him.

The Verdict: A useful signing for Rangers

With 16 league appearances under his belt this season, the Australian has shown how much of a capable midfield figure he is on and off the ball.

For example, as well as scoring two goals and having the third-highest number of shots at goal (23) at St Mirren, Baccus also has the second-highest number of successful tackles (20) and third-highest number of interceptions (21).

His overall performances have earned the midfielder, who has been described as being “all-action” on the pitch by journalist Joel Sked, a season rating of 6.67/10 from WhoScored, making him the fourth-highest rated player in the Saints squad.

Taking all of this into account, Baccus could certainly be a useful addition to Michael Beale’s squad given the talent he as and the experience he has of playing in the SPFL.

Moving forward, if the Saints are open to selling their summer recruit in January, the Gers should definitely see what it would take financially to secure his signature.

Tottenham Hotspur are leading the race to sign Adrien Rabiot, according to reports in Italy…

What’s the word?

Corriere dello Sport claim that the France midfielder is expected to leave Juventus during the January transfer window as he enters the final six months of his current £148k-per-week contract.

However, despite appearing at the front of the queue to sign the World Cup finalist, the north London outfit are facing stiff competition from the likes of Bayern Munich, FC Barcelona and his former club, Paris Saint-Germain.

It’s also thought that the Old Lady are only demanding around €15m (£13m).

Paratici masterclass

This sort of move has all the hallmarks of being another transfer masterclass from Lilywhites sporting director Fabio Paratici, following the same sort of process as signing Rodrigo Bentancur nearly a year ago.

Something of a divisive figure in Turin, the Uruguayan has become an instant favourite with his eye-catching displays in the Premier League for Spurs and whilst Rabiot has recently caught the eye on the world’s biggest stage by reaching the final as a Les Bleus regular, it hasn’t always been easy in the black and white stripes of Juve.

Back in 2013, the Frenchman was described as an “absolute monster” by journalist Robin Bairner and he’s gone full circle because in Qatar, ex-West Ham United star Frederic Piquionne lauded him as the “best player” at the tournament, also comparing him to the great Emmanuel Petit.

Across five starts, Rabiot averaged a 7.13 rating on Sofascore as he was the hard-working metronome of Didier Deschamps’ engine room. Indeed, he ran 12.1km, 11.6km and 11km in games against Australia, Denmark and Poland, whilst he also averaged two tackles and 1.7 interceptions per game, too.

It was only at the end of last season that the Juve midfielder was named in Sportmediaset’s ‘Flop XI’ (via Get Football News Italy), so it shows just how far he’s come in such a short space of time and he ought to continue that upward trend in the Premier League, where Spurs have proven success in aiding that development – as seen by Bentancur’s impressive rise under Antonio Conte.

As such, if Paratici does manage to get a deal for the World Cup sensation done for just £13m, then it could well be another masterclass on the cards and one that would hugely benefit the Italian’s depth options heading into a hectic schedule in the second half of the 2022/23 campaign.

AND in other news, Paratici can make big statement by signing £78m “monster” who’s “what Tottenham need”…

Chelsea playmaker Hakim Ziyech has not exactly had an easy ride since joining the club, often finding himself outside the starting line-up and struggling for consistent form at the west London club.

As per Sofascore, the 29-year-old ace has only started one Premier League game this season, playing an average of just 30 minutes per match and recording an average rating of 6.85.

However, at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with Morocco, Ziyech has been a driving force behind a monumental campaign that saw the African nation beat Croatia and Belgium in the group phase to top spot.

Then, in the round-of-16, Morocco put in a dogged display to defeat Spain on penalties, earning a spot in the quarter-finals.

His nation will face Portugal next, avoiding what would have been their hardest fixture yet in the form of Thiago Silva’s Brazil, with Chelsea’s central defender also shining on the grandest stages this autumn with some exemplary displays at the back.

Scoring a goal and assist apiece, while recording 1.5 shots per match, Ziyech has been an offensive thorn in the sides of his opponents and would be a match even for Silva in current form. Sparkling at the top end of the pitch, he is also contributing effectively from a defensive standpoint with an average of 2.0 tackles and 1.3 interceptions per outing.

After such resounding success, Blues boss Graham Potter must be itching to bring the star back to Stamford Bridge and transcend his dazzling form to his efforts in the Premier League.

Chelsea’s 17 goals in 14 matches thus far in the league season is the lowest tally of any side in the top-half, and Ziyech must be utilised in order to unearth a vein of prolific form that has been evading the Blues.

Former Chelsea boss Frank Lampard once heralded the Moroccan magician as “an absolute dream”, and indeed that’s what he has been in Qatar. The self-belief and flair on the ball that he’s shown in the Middle East of late were contributing factors behind the rise to ascension at former club AFC Ajax that resulted in a £33m move to Stamford Bridge.

As per FBref, the 47-cap star ranks within the top 9% for total shots, and 15% for progressive passes when compared to attacking midfielders and wingers throughout Europe’s top five leagues across the last year.

He is evidently a player that can provide artillery from varying angles, capable of destructive power and the wand of a delivery to unlock even the meanest of defences.

Morocco next face Portugal, with the agonisingly tantalising prospect of a semi-final showdown looming around the corner, Ziyech will be solely focused on completing the unimaginable and bringing his country unprecedented triumph.

Such feats will have not gone unnoticed by Potter, however, who indeed will be pondering just how he can maintain the form that Ziyech is currently riding at club level.

An update has emerged on Glasgow Rangers winger Ryan Kent and interest in his services heading into the January transfer window…

What’s the talk?

According to Football Insider, Fulham are keeping a close eye on the Rangers winger and are considering a swoop to sign him from Ibrox at the start of 2023.

The report claims that they are interested in the Light Blues wizard and could make a move to sign him in January, as his contract at Rangers expires at the end of this season.

It is stated that the club have failed to agree a fresh deal with the former Liverpool man and the Cottagers could sign him on a pre-contract if they are willing to wait until the summer of 2023.

Ruthlessly ditch Kent

Alfredo Morelos is also out of contract next summer but sporting director Ross Wilson must now focus on ruthlessly binning Kent in the January window.

The £18k-per-week attacker has struggled badly in front of goal since the start of last season in the Premiership. He has scored once in 11 top-flight outings this term, after producing two goals in 26 appearances in the 2021/22 campaign, despite averaging at least 1.9 shots per game in that period.

Kevin Thompson recently offered his thoughts on the winger’s struggles, saying: “It’s a confidence thing for me with Ryan.

“We all know how much quality he has got ­— it’s undeniable. But he’s going through a tough time right now. He’s lacking a bit of belief and confidence as an individual.”

He has shown, in the past, that he has the quality to score goals as he plundered ten in 37 matches during the 2020/21 title-winning campaign but he has been unable to recapture that form over the past 18 months.

Ex-Light Blues attacker Kris Boyd said that the forward is not doing enough in the final third, stating: “Rangers do need more from him, he needs to do more for himself. In the contract situation, it’s one where you can look at it and say, has he spoken to somebody are there other things there.

“Even if you have and your future’s away from Rangers, then you’ve got to be doing better to show them that you’re ready to come to you, whether it’s in January or next summer.”

Wilson must now ruthlessly cash in on Kent in January and attempt to recoup a fee for his services by selling him to Fulham, before any club has the chance to sign him for nothing next summer as he is not performing well enough in front of goal to warrant a huge contract offer to convince him to stay.

Raking in a fee for him ahead of the second half of the season will allow the sporting director to reinvest the funds into a replacement, whereas allowing him to depart on a free at the end of the campaign will force them to fund the signing of another winger by other means.

Leeds United will remain in Europe during the World Cup having initially planned a trip to America, reliable journalist Phil Hay has confirmed.

The Lowdown: World Cup fast approaching

The Whites have three more Premier League matches to come before the World Cup gets underway next month, starting with Saturday’s trip to Liverpool.

It is a huge period for Jesse Marsch, who knows that he will likely be out of the job after the tournament ends, should performances and results not improve, with next week’s match against Bournemouth perhaps the major breaking point.

Leeds were planning to cross The Atlantic during the World Cup and enjoy a training camp in California, friendlies with Mexican teams and a visit to the club’s minority shareholder in San Francisco, but a fresh update suggests that the club have had a change of heart.

The Latest: Leeds to stay in Europe

Taking to Twitter on Friday, The Athletic‘s Hay confirmed some changes to the training schedule through the international break, including cancelling the trip to San Francisco:

“Few EPL teams are more in need of the World Cup break than Leeds United, to reset and regroup. So changes afoot. Club now planning to stay in Europe during it, rather than heading to the US. Time off for players not involved in the World Cup to be cut.”

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The Verdict: Right call?

While a trip to California may have had its benefits, allowing the non-World Cup players some warm-weather training and potentially growing the club’s popularity in America, this sounds like a more logical option.

It means less travel for Marsch and his squad, assuming he is still in charge at that point, and possibly a more settled time of things for the players without a long excursion, as they look to work on solving their current issues.

It’s also unlikely fans would be too delighted to see their players frolicking around in the California sun given their current predicament.

Either way it is going to be a vital period in Leeds’ season, in terms of working on tactics and recharging the batteries, as they look to fend off the threat of relegation.

سقط الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي برشلونة للمرة الثالثة هذا الموسم بالهزيمة بنتيجة 2-1 أمام لاس بالماس في إطار مباريات الجولة الخامسة عشر من الدوري الإسباني.

واستضاف برشلونة منافسه لاس بالماس على ملعب “منتجويك” بحضور جماهيري كبير بالتزامن مع احتفال النادي بمرور 125 عامًا على تأسيسه.

ولكن تأتي الرياح بما لا تشتهي السفن، حيث ظهر الفريق في فوضى كبيرة ولم يستطع برشلونة إيجاد الحلول تحت قيادة المدرب، هانز فليك.

كان الشوط الأول سلبيًا بين الفريقين مع محاولات لهز الشباك، وهو ما حدث في الشوط الثاني بعدما سجل ساندرو راميريز هدفًا في الدقيقة 49.

واستغل راميريز سوء تمركز مدافعي برشلونة ليصبح أمام مرمى الفريق الكتالوني ويسجل هدفًا ليصبح التقدم للكناري.

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ومع مرور الوقت والوصول إلى الدقيقة 61، استطاع رافينها إدراك التعادل بعد تسديدة بقدمه اليسرى لتسكن مرمى لاس بالماس.

لكن التعادل لم يستمر كثيرًا حيث سجل فابيو سيلفا هدفًا للتقدم من جديد للضيوف في الدقيقة 67 مشابهًا لما حدث لزميله، ساندرو راميريز.

وشهدت المباراة عودة لامين يامال بعد غياب للإصابة ولكن تواجده لم يكن كافيًا لعدم السقوط على ملعب “منتجويك”.

بهذه النتيجة، يتجرع برشلونة مرارة الهزيمة الثالثة في الموسم محليًا بعد السقوط أمام أوساسونا وريال سوسيداد ويتجمد رصيده عنده 34 نقطة في الصدارة.

ولكن صدارة الليجا، أصبحت مهددة إذا فاز ريال مدريد في مباراة الغد ضد خيتافي ولديه مواجهة مؤجلة أمام فالنسيا خاصة وأن لديه 30 نقطة حتى الآن.

بينما حصد لاس بالماس 3 نقاط ثمينة من خارج الديار ليصل رصيده عند النقطة 15 في المركز الرابع عشر بترتيب الدوري الإسباني. شاهد أهداف مباراة برشلونة ولاس بالماس في الدوري الإسباني

Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita has withdrawn from the Guinea squad because of an injury. 

The lowdown

Guinea surprised Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp when they included Keita in their squad for their friendlies against Algeria and the Ivory Coast.

Klopp said that he did not expect Keita to be back in time for the international window, instead predicting a return ‘somewhere in October’ (via the official club website).

The former RB Leipzig man hasn’t played a single minute for the Reds this season as he struggles with a muscle injury.

The latest

The Guinean Football Federation have officially confirmed Keita’s withdrawal and return to Merseyside.

They say their ‘technical staff’ took the final decision and opted to follow Liverpool’s treatment protocols.

The verdict

This is a wise decision for both the player and the association. Rushing Keita back may have exacerbated his issue, and strained relations between the Guinean FA and Liverpool.

While there’s a lack of clarity around the exact return date, the Reds will hope that he can make a significant contribution prior to the World Cup as they face a stretch of 13 games in 42 days.

One competition the £120,000-per-week man won’t be playing in before the turn of the year, though, is the Champions League, after the Reds opted to omit him from the squad during his absence.

Aston Villa have not exactly had the return they desired after signing Lucas Digne from Everton.

The French full-back has only managed four assists in 24 appearances for his new club, struggling to kick on after being such a creative influence for the Toffees.

At 29 years old, he could soon be phased out in favour of the youth, with Ben Chrisene patiently waiting in the wings for his chance.

The 18-year-old “prospect” – as dubbed by Steven Gerrard – is currently enjoying his first taste of senior football out on loan at Kilmarnock, following five appearances and an assist last season in the Premier League 2.

Gerrard admitted following the departure of Matt Targett that he would’ve wanted him to stay, but claims “it’s opened up the pathway for young Ben Chrisene”.

He continued by noting: “We’re really excited to try to help him become a Premier League player”.

The Villa youngster clearly is thought of very highly at the club, with the manager envisioning a pathway for him to break through. This was before the arrival of Digne, but his age suggests that he is here for instant success, whilst Chrisene can come in as his understudy.

Life in Scotland has treated the left-back well so far, as he boasts a 6.87 average SofaScore rating. He is averaging 0.7 shots per game, and 0.7 key passes per game.

With time, his offensive play will surely improve. For now, however, his 2.0 interceptions and 3.0 tackles per game are indicative of a youngster who is not wilting to the new challenges that senior football is presenting him with.

Although Cameron Archer may earn plenty of pundits coming out of the club’s academy, Chrisene has a clear pathway for entry into the first team too.

A couple of brief appearances off the bench in the Premier League this season, and last season’s loan spell at Preston North End, suggests he is the star man, but regular minutes out on loan could actually suit the defender more. He is also two years his junior, so has plenty of room left to grow.

He could end up being the standout graduate if he continues his steady development, and eventually replace the ageing Premier League stalwart at left-back.

Wolves announced late on Wednesday night that they had completed the signing of Matheus Nunes from Sporting Lisbon, and that could well be the catalyst for Connor Ronan to depart the club.

The Irish midfielder has been at Wolves for the past nine years, signing as a 15-year-old from Rochdale, but has never been able to establish himself as a regular in the first team.

He has made just 13 appearances for the senior side, spending the majority of his time with Wolves out on loan, enjoying a fruitful spell at St Mirren last season, winning their player of the season award after hitting eight goals and five assists in 30 appearances.

The 24-year-old was part of Lage’s pre-season squad and spoke about his hopes for the season, saying:

“It’s special to be back here after such a long period away from the club. There were times when I’d been on loans and come back and thought that maybe I might leave, or I didn’t know if I was staying or going out on loan, so just to have that chance again, and a chance in to get in front of the manager is a massive honour.

“I’ll just keep giving 100 per cent every day and keep trying to impress him. The communication he has with you is the trust he puts in you, is by giving you game time. I’ve taken that on and I’m just trying to impress him and with the minutes I do get I’m taking them as well as I can.”

However, the young midfielder has been left on the bench in each of Wolves’ Premier League fixtures so far and with the added competition from Nunes’ signing, it seems unlikely that he will ever be a regular with the club.

After all, the new signing at Molineux is an elite talent, someone that was described as one of the best in world football by Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola. Even the best of Wolves players will find it difficult to usurp him this season, let alone Ronan who has struggled for a first-team place ever since the Old Gold were in the Championship.

With Wolves also looking likely to receive a mammoth fee of £42.5m for Morgan Gibbs-White, you would expect Lage to spend big on another attacking-midfield option as his replacement, rather than promoting the inexperienced Ronan.

Considering his contract at Wolves is set to expire at the end of next season, it is the right decision to sell him this summer while his stock is high, rather than potentially losing him for nothing in the future.