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Dean Windass has exclusively told Football FanCast that Declan Rice won’t be at West Ham next season, and believes the midfielder would “easily” get into Chelsea’s team.

Rice, who’s currently injured following a knee problem sustained on international duty, has been one of the standout players in the league this season, and had been ever-present prior to missing the win at Wolves on Monday.

The 22-year-old is currently tied down to a long-term contract with the Hammers, but is already on both the rader of the Blues, where he started his youth career, and Manchester United – with David Moyes boosting their chances of signing Rice by saying that West Ham will listen to bids for him.

But Moyes also said that Rice is worth far more than £100m, and it would take the Bank of England to prise him away from West Ham.

But Windass doesn’t think that it’ll prove too difficult to get him to make the switch across London. He told Football FanCast:

“I think he’s a Chelsea sort of type and it’s easy because he wouldn’t have to move house. He’s been at West Ham since the Academies, he’s a London lad, it’s not going to take him much to move across to Stamford Bridge.

“He’s a young lad, English. He’d easily get into Chelsea’s team. He’s a bit like Makelele. He sits in front of the back-four, gives the ball to people that can play, so I can see that happening.

“I can’t see Declan Rice being at West Ham. £70m-80m off the top of my head. Why not? He’s playing for England, he’s young.”

Many Aston Villa supporters have been reacting on social media to a transfer update on Werder Bremen attacker Milot Rashica.

The 24-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Villa Park last year, but despite months of rumours, the winger remained in the Bundesliga past the summer deadline.

Summer switch for Rashica?

However, according to German publication Bild, cited by Birmingham Mail, the £10.8m-rated ace will now ‘finally be sold’ in the summer.

Rashica is out of contract in 2022 and it seems as if Werder Bremen now want to cash in on the Kosovo international.

The wide man was in fine form during the 2019/20 campaign, scoring eight times and providing seven assists in the Bundesliga. It’s been a different story this season, though, with Rashica still looking for his first league goal after 16 appearances.

Villa fans react

@AVFC_News shared the update regarding Rashica on Twitter, asking fans if Villa should make a move.

These supporters were all against a possible summer deal, with one fan describing the player’s form as ‘awful’.

“Oh give it a rest, we are not interested, that ship has sailed”

Credit: @kelwell16

“No. Attitude player. Done nothing for WB this season.”

Credit: @ged_egan

“He showed no desire to come to the villa in the summer. Now his form has dropped would stay well away from him.”

Credit: @Jon35136327

“Nope. Watched him a few times during Lockdown – he’s no better than anyone in the current squad, profligate in front of goal & selfish. Give Louie Barry a go instead”

Credit: @jayjayjjetplane

“Nope, completely out of form, injury prone, and doesn’t want to join. We can do much better!”

Credit: @JackJenningss_

“Only if we can get him way cheaper, 0 goals and 1 assist in 15 games this season, awful”

Credit: @AllAVFC_

In other news: Premier League giants want Aston Villa star this summer; it’s not Jack Grealish, find out more here. 

Newcastle are ‘keen to retain’ defender Federico Fernandez, whose contract expires this summer, according to The Athletic correspondent Chris Waugh.

Fernandez agreed a one-year extension to his deal back in March 2020, ensuring he would remain at the club for the Premier League’s restart.

Fernandez a valuable member of the Newcastle squad

The Argentine centre-back moved to St James’ Park from Swansea for a fee of £6m in 2018 and has gone on to rack up 74 appearances for the Magpies. The 32-year-old has also captained the Magpies on five occasions.

He was a regular during the first half of the current season, missing only one game due to pandemic protocols.

A thigh muscle strain kept him out of action from mid-January until the beginning of March, but he has returned to the bench for Newcastle’s last three Premier League fixtures.

Fernandez has averaged 1.5 tackles, 5.6 clearances and 1.9 successful aerial duels per 90 minutes this season (via WhoScored). His clearances average is better than anyone else in Steve Bruce’s squad, with Jamaal Lascelles a distant second on 4.4 (via WhoScored).

Will Fernandez accept a pay cut like Gayle?

According to Spotrac, he’s currently earning just over £47,000 a week on Tyneside, which makes him the club’s fifth-highest earner.

He may be expected to accept reduced terms in the manner of team-mate Dwight Gayle, who has already agreed a contract extension (via The Athletic).

Elsewhere, Waugh reported that Andy Carroll’s Newcastle stay could be prolonged despite scoring only one goal in the past two seasons.

Transfer Tavern verdict

On balance, it makes sense to retain an experienced Premier League defender in Fernandez rather than letting him walk away for free.

Newcastle don’t want to be spending what Waugh describes as a ‘limited budget’ on filling out their squad. They’ll focus what they have on the outstanding problem areas.

In other news, players have reportedly been left raging at one of their team-mates for his recent comments.

Whilst Rangers were dominant throughout the game on Wednesday night, there were some disappointing performances from a few of Steven Gerrard’s men.

The Gers pushed an pushed at Livingston on Wednesday night and deserved to come away with the three points after Alfredo Morelos’ late winner, but not every player in a blue shirt played well at the Almondvale Stadium.

Ryan Kent, in particular, was nowhere near his usual standard, with the former Liverpool man struggling to impose himself against David Martindale’s side.

As per SofaScore, the winger would earn a disappointing 6.4 rating for his display, which was the worst of any Rangers player who started the game, and the joint-worst of any player on the pitch.

Whilst Livingston’s tactics of fouling Kent nearly every time he got the ball will have frustrated the winger and Steven Gerrard, they were effective, as it prevented him from having any real impact on the game.

During his 89 minutes on the pitch, the 24-year-old, who reportedly earns £20k per week at Rangers, would fail in his one dribble attempt and would have no shots on target whatsoever.

This is way below the 1.8 dribbles and 2.4 shots per game he has averaged in the Scottish Premiership this season, emphasising that he wasn’t anywhere near his best.

Kent is usually one of Rangers’ most influential players in attack but he was limited to just 39 touches of the ball on Wednesday evening, the fewest of any Rangers player, including goalkeeper Allan McGregor, who would have 48.

The shot-stopper also completed more passes (48) than Kent (20), which again goes to show just how little he was involved during his time on the pitch, as he has averaged 40 passes per game so far this season.

Despite Livingston’s lack of possession, their right-winger Joshua Mullin would have more touches than Kent and would play three key passes compared to Kent’s zero, so it was no surprise to see him rated so low.

Therefore, it could definitely be argued that the winger’s performance was the one blip on a good night for Gerrard, as his side could now seal the title at the weekend if results go their way.

And, in other news… Forget Morelos: “Outstanding” beast who won 88% of his duels was Gerrard’s ace

Marcel Brands should repeat Everton’s success of signing Seamus Coleman for a bargain fee with a move for Crystal Palace’s in-demand Jesurun Rak-Sakyi.

What’s the word?

According to the Daily Mail, Rak-Sakyi is set to leave Selhurst Park at the end of the season after rejecting the offer of a professional contract with the south London side.

The 18-year-old whizkid is highly-rated by talent spotters and regarded as the brightest prospect to emerge in Palace’s academy since Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who sealed a £50m move to Manchester United in 2019 after playing 46 first-team games under Roy Hodgson.

Rak-Sakyi has scouts from a number of clubs on alert after turning in a string of impressive performances in the Eagles’ U18 and U23 squads, where he has excelled in an attacking midfielder role as well as on the wing.

And he looks increasingly likely to leave Crystal Palace this summer after snubbing a two-year pro deal, making his services available for just £150,000 in compensation for his development.

The Bundesliga appears the most probable destination for the teenager as he looks to follow the trend of young English players finding a path into the senior game in Germany, with Borussia Monchengladbach and FC Schalke 04 keen.

Rak-Sakyi also has suitors in Celtic, West Ham United and Everton, but each lag behind their continental opponents after his representatives held ‘very positive’ discussions with some of the youngster’s potential clubs.

He is expected to prioritise a pathway into the first-team over anything else, having grown concerned about what opportunities he will be given should the former Chelsea trainee stay at Crystal Palace.

Should Everton sign him?

Rak-Sakyi is still an unproven talent in the senior game with no appearances outside of the academies of Crystal Palace, Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion, but he clearly has a lot of potential as top sides begin to turn their eye to his imminent availability.

Creativity has not been an issue for the 18-year-old in Eagles colours, either, with the Crystal Palace official club website showing he boasts six goals in 11 appearances for the U18s this season and has already struck the back of the net once in three games for the U23s.

The coaching staff at Selhurst Park are also noted to have been impressed with Rak-Sakyi’s technical ability and awareness, as well as his eye for goal, that could now be available for a mere £150,000 as he questions what future lies in store in south London.

Given that doubt and the talks with German sides, Everton’s Director of Football Brands should be doing his utmost to convincingly present the path to the first-team at Goodison Park, as he managed when overseeing Niels Nkounkou’s move from Olympique de Marseille last year.

Everton have previous for signing would-be stars for bargain sum too, having paid Sligo Rovers a mere £60,000 for Coleman in 2009, who has since gone on to captain the Blues and make 340 appearances in all competitions.

It’s too early to say Rak-Sakyi will follow Coleman’s footsteps and one day lead Everton out at the club’s proposed 52,000 capacity new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, but it is fair to assume they could regret missing out on seeing what his potential is all about if he goes elsewhere.

AND in other news, Carlo Ancelotti has set his eyes on bringing a £59m flop to Everton…

Steve Bruce takes his Newcastle United side to Chelsea on Monday night facing a mammoth selection headache after losing three starting players to injuries last time out.

Top-scorer Callum Wilson, centre-half Fabian Schar and right-back Javier Manquillo all sustained long-term injuries in the Toon’s 3-2 win over Southampton, a game which also saw midfielder Jeff Hendrick shown two yellow cards.

The Republic of Ireland international will now be suspended for the Magpies’ trip to Stamford Bridge, forcing Bruce into a change in the engine room having started Hendrick in United’s last five Premier League games.

So, with plenty of change on the horizon in south west London, here’s a potential line-up Newcastle could field in search of back-to-back wins for the first time since mid-December…

Allan Saint-Maximin made his first start since testing positive for coronavirus in Newcastle’s 3-2 win over Southampton and will be expected to open the action against Chelsea, having provided the assist for two of United’s goals.

Bruce faces a headache over who replaces Wilson after the 10-goal top-scorer sustained a deep hamstring tear , with Dwight Gayle, Andy Carroll and Joelinton each only scoring once in the Premier League this season.

Gayle, for us, is the most likely to stand in despite not opening a top-flight fixture this term, as the £40,000-per-week forward – set to be a free agent in the summer – netted four times during the 2019/20 campaign, more than Joelinton (2) and Carroll (0) combined.

Schar was required to have surgery after sustaining knee ligament damage against the Saints, and will be replaced in the backline by Ciaran Clark with the £4.5m-rated centre-half now back available for selection.

Bruce had fielded Isaac Hayden in defence last time out to cover for Clark’s absence after his wife went into labour, though he should be able to return the midfielder to the engine room to replace Hendrick having received positive news on skipper Jamaal Lascelles and Federico Fernandez.

“It’s a long time before Monday but Clark, definitely [is available]. We’re hoping, fingers crossed, with Jamaal and Fede,” Bruce said on Thursday. “Two of them are touch and go, but Ciaran Clark will definitely be okay.”

Emil Krafth will be in line to make only his fifth start of the league season after Manquillo sustained ankle ligament damage against Southampton, an injury which could keep the Spaniard on the sidelines for the next two months, after Newcastle sold DeAndre Yedlin to Galatasaray on Deadline Day.

Except for replacing the suspended Hendrick, Bruce will be expected to name an unchanged midfield consisting of Jonjo Shelvey and Joe Willock sitting behind Miguel Almiron.

Almiron scored a brace against Southampton to become Newcastle’s second-best scorer this term with four goals, while Willock broke the deadlock on his debut after joining on loan from Arsenal for the remainder of the season.

AND in other news: Exclusive – Pundit drops verdict on Joseph DaGrosa takeover claim…

Many Liverpool fans have been left slamming some comments that were made by Jurgen Klopp after they lost 4-1 at home to Manchester City.

Speaking after the game, the German boss said (via Emma Sanders): “Big parts were brilliant from our side. I really liked it. In the first half we played really good football. Start of the second half, City changed slightly & it’s a little adaptation. We didn’t give enough options to play. We gave the first goal away.”

It is quite odd for Klopp to suggest that his team were ‘brilliant’ for ‘big parts’ in the game despite them ultimately getting well-beaten in the end by Pep Guardiola’s team.

While the Reds recorded more possession than their Premier League title rivals, they hardly posed too much of a threat, with MCFC recording more shots on target, big chances and dribbles than their opponents, as well as being much more solid defensively with more duels won, tackles, interceptions and clearances in the match (Sofascore).

It is now three losses in a row at Anfield and several Kopites have started voicing their concerns.

Liverpool fan reaction to Klopp comments

These LFC supporters slammed the comments made by Klopp on Twitter, with one fan even going as far as to call them ‘disturbing’:

“I know he has to be positive but that’s delusional. What saves did Ederson make?”

Credit: @Ciaran_El

“He’s watching a different game to the rest of us. I wish he’d be more honest and shake the players up instead of giving them an excuse.”

Credit: @stayleyvegas

“Disturbing remarks if he really means it”

Credit: @ArchivesHammer

“Is he being sarcastic? Is he concussed? Somebody should check on him. The ‘this is fine’ mentality was warranted for a while but now it’s a concern.”

Credit: @Ghostcrisps

“This type of rhetoric is never good.”

Credit: @Sacrebleu2021

“The man is deluded, as good as admitted his tactics didn’t work…… again.”

Credit: @AdamDan61875427

In other news, find out which transfer link Liverpool fans are lauding here!

One of Tottenham Hotspur’s reported transfer targets has just dropped a masterclass display amid speculation over his future.

A month ago, the north London outfit were linked with a move for AC Milan powerhouse Frank Kessie, as per Calciomercato.it.

They claimed that Jose Mourinho was mulling over a move for the 24-year-old midfielder, though the Serie A leaders wouldn’t let him depart on the cheap with a fee in the region of €50m (£45m) mentioned.

Kessie was in action on Wednesday night as Spurs waited to see who they would face in the Carabao Cup, and despite being defeated, the box-to-box beast put in an impressive performance.

The Rossoneri were defeated 3-1 by defending champions Juventus at the San Siro, though the Ivorian centre-mid was arguably their best player.

He played the full 90 minutes, making 43 of his 46 passes (93% accuracy), including a 100% hit-rate with his long-balls and only lost possession five times from 59 touches, via SofaScore.

That’s quite a feat considering he was up against the likes of Aaron Ramsey, Adrien Rabiot and Paulo Dybala.

Kessie also put in three tackles, two interceptions and two clearances as he continued his fine start to the 2020/21 campaign.

Indeed, the 44-cap international has enjoyed a phenomenal season thus far, contributing to seven goals in 14 starts domestically whilst averaging 1.3 shots, 1.3 dribbles, 1.3 interceptions, 1.2 tackles and an impressive 90.3% passing accuracy per game, via WhoScored.

He certainly seems like an ideal candidate for that box-to-box midfielder Mourinho is thought to be lusting for, as per Duncan Castles.

Former Milan boss Vincenzo Montella’s glowing endorsement of Kessie only adds fuel to the fire, he once said:

“He is an extraordinary player, a sublime intelligence. Penalties? I have a lot of good, for this, I had chosen two games that were just Rodriguez and Kessie.”

If Mourinho truly wants another midfielder this transfer window, then he ought to look no further than the Milan monster.

Just think of how powerful a central unit Spurs could have with his arrival – imagine him next to Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg with Tanguy Ndombele further forward.

That would be a game-changer for their trophy aspirations.

AND in other news, Exclusive: Daniel Levy urged to sign out-of-contract £58.5m-rated star…

Speaking in a press conference before this afternoon’s FA Cup trip to Marine, Tottenham Hotspur boss Jose Mourinho confirmed the latest on Giovani Lo Celso and his absence – going on to say that he is ‘not going to play’ for the next few weeks due to his hamstring injury.

Lo Celso was shining in the number 10 role for Tottenham just before his lay-off, becoming a threat just behind star attackers Son Heung-min and Harry Kane.

Mourinho confirms Lo Celso latest

Alongside Tanguy Ndombele, the Argentine had been rotating as an attacking midfielder and put in some dazzling displays for the Lilywhites.

However, after picking up an injury to his hamstring, Lo Celso still faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines as Mourinho confirms the latest on his absence – with the Portuguese revealing he will remain unavailable for the next few weeks.

“Gio is injured. I don’t know for how long but he is not playing in the next few weeks, it is not a simple situation, he is not going to play in the next few weeks,” he said.

“Lamela maybe [will be involved]. I am waiting for tomorrow. So tomorrow, last day. Lamela possible.”

Transfer Tavern take

Described as ‘exciting’ by midfielder Harry Winks, Lo Celso had grown into a key attacking figure for the Lilywhites – but this news indicates that Spurs fans will not see him back in action for a while and will certainly miss this afternoon’s trip up north.

Gabriel Agbonlahor, speaking to Football Insider, reacted to this development and insists it is a ‘big blow’ for Tottenham.

When he will return for Spurs remains to be seen, but fans will be hoping it is soon rather than later.

In other news: Daniel Levy has entered talks to sign this ‘leader’ for Spurs, find out more here.

Glasgow Rangers want to secure the services of Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour on loan next month and now the pressure is on Ross Wilson to deliver in the winter transfer market.

What’s the word?

According to The Sun’s Fraser Mackie, Chelsea are open to loaning the teenager back to the 54-time Scottish champions for the rest of the season.

Gilmour made a rare start against FC Krasnodar in the Champions League on Tuesday night after recovering from knee surgery that ended his breakthrough season with the Blues.

Frank Lampard admitted he has high hopes for the youngster after Chelsea drew 1-1 with Krasnodar in their Champions League dead rubber, as he said: “I thought Billy was outstanding. The way he played and how he trains, I see him growing with us. He’s going to be a Chelsea player so it’s just about making sure the pathway is right for him.”

But the 19-year-old has fallen down the pecking order after the arrival of Kai Havertz in the summer and Rangers have reignited their interest in their former academy player with the transfer window set to open in just a few weeks’ time.

Get it done, Gers

Leaving it so late is setting Wilson up for failure as it will only put him under pressure if he fails to deliver the goods.

Rangers are on a remarkable run of form, as they are currently unbeaten in all competitions, but a minor injury crisis in the midfield could somewhat curtail their strong start to the season.

Scott Arfield and Steven Davis are arguably entering the twilight of their careers, which means they could be more susceptible to injury problems, whilst Ryan Jack has struggled with injuries so far this season and there are doubts over Glen Kamara’s future at the club amid links abroad.

To continue with just Bongani Zungu, who himself has had his fair share of injury concerns, and Joe Aribo, who is predominantly an attacking midfielder by trade, would just be plain stupid as the season starts to heat up.

This phrase gets bandied about a bit too much for our liking but it’s as clear as day that Gilmour is a generational talent.

Despite his age, the Scotland starlet has already made 13 appearances for Chelsea – per SofaScore, he took 97 touches of the ball and clearly made all of that possession count, as he made 3 key passes, took one shot on target, provided 74 out of 83 passes (89%) and was fouled once, which suggests that he was a real menace throughout the game against Krasnodar.

By comparison, Aribo failed to register a single shot or record a key pass against Ross County in the Scottish Premiership last weekend, via SofaScore.

If they fail to regain the title for the first time since the 2010-11 season, Gerrard cannot entirely be held accountable, as Wilson will have to share some of the blame as well.

AND in other news,  Rangers boss Steven Gerrard must unleash Bongani Zungu against Lech Poznan in the Europa League…