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Defensively, Everton have faltered consistently this season, and after Lucas Digne’s departure to Aston Villa in January, the left-back area remains light, despite the signing of Vitaliy Mykolenko who hasn’t yet hit the ground running.

In fact, Jonjoe Kenny has started the last three matches in that position, and despite not entirely convincing fans and averaging a rating of SofaScore rating of a mere 6.5 in that time, it seems manager Frank Lampard trusts him the most there.

The new boss is well-known for giving a chance to his youth team prospects when he is in need of reinforcements through the season, but if he waits until the Summer, the return of Niels Nkounkou could solve his left-back dilemma.

The former France U19 international, who arrived at Goodison Park on a free transfer from Marseille in the summer of 2020, has been working hard on-loan at Standard Liege in the Belgian Pro League, and has made 18 appearances so far this campaign.

Despite averaging a fractionally better SofaScore rating than Kenny (6.67) so far since making the move, he has been dropped to the bench in recent weeks. However, the experience Nkounkou has gained from the spell will please Lampard, who himself has often utilised the loan market to develop talent.

His former teammate at the Ligue 1 club Jordan Amavi, who also played in the Premier League for a short while with Aston Villa, praised him last year, saying: “He has a lot of qualities, I find that he is a powerful player, technically he is quite comfortable.”

Like Digne, the left-back is a strong tackler who also loves to bomb forward and is comfortable on the ball, as well as being able to take a man on and deliver a cross. His 1.9 tackles and four duels won per game this term certainly supplements that.

Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock suggested the 21-year-old even could have replaced the now Villa star last season, saying: “Niels Nkounkou is some player. A magnificent find. Bright future ahead and Digne has someone pushing him.”

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Everton will be hoping their exciting talent continues to receive regular first-team football, as he could eventually save them millions in the transfer market by stepping up and becoming a regular senior player.

In other news: Everton can fix one of Moshiri’s biggest mistakes with “extraordinary” £215k-p/w gem 

Jordan Campbell has claimed that Giovanni van Bronckhorst will now start Leon Balogun for Glasgow Rangers in the Scottish Premiership tonight.

The Lowdown: Benched

Balogun was left on the bench in the 2-2 draw at home to Motherwell last time out, with John Lundstram playing as a central defender, as the Teddy Bears surrender a two-goal lead at Ibrox.

Given that Celtic are now three points clear in the title race, the Light Blues simply cannot afford to drop many more points in the division, and so van Bronckhorst will be tempted to make changes against St. Johnstone in order to get his team right.

The Latest: Return?

Taking to Twitter, after reacting to the news that the Gers are set to have as many as five players out for the game, The Athletic journalist Campbell has claimed that van Bronckhorst will now bring Balogun back in to the starting eleven, and thus push Lundstram back up to midfield:

“Ramsey, Amad, Helander, Jack and Davis all out of tomorrow’s game against St Johnstone.

“There really is no margin for error now so Rangers need to get the job done.

“Got to imagine Balogun comes in with Lundstram moving back to midfield.”

The Verdict: Do it

After losing the two-goal lead last weekend, RFC will not want another shaky performance defensively, and so it is best to bring Balogun back in his natural position as centre-half.

Described as a ‘pivotal’ player by former SPFL striker Noel Whelan, he has won more aerial duels than any of his teammates in the division so far this season, while he also averages the most interceptions and ranks highly in terms of tackles and clearances per match (WhoScored).

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There is no doubt that Balogun makes them stronger defensively, and so bringing him back in from the start is a no-brainer.

In other news, find out what triple injury boost Rangers have now been given here!

An exciting Newcastle United claim has been made regarding January signing Bruno Guimaraes…

What’s the talk?

Magpies reporter Keith Downie has dropped a behind-the-scenes update on how the club are feeling about the Brazilian midfielder.

Guimares joined the Toon from Ligue 1 side Lyon in January and is still waiting on his first start in the Premier League under Eddie Howe.

Downie told GIVEMESPORT: “On the face of it, it looks like a good signing. And speaking to people within the club, this is as positive as I’ve heard them about any new signing.

“They were like that with Trippier as well, but there certainly seems an excitement from within about what he’ll add to the group.”

Buzzing

Newcastle fans will surely be buzzing with this claim, as it suggests that the staff like what they are seeing from Guimaraes behind closed doors.

This information suggests that the Brazilian is not being kept out of the team because of anything he has been doing. If any fans were wondering whether or not his lack of involvement has been because of poor performances in training, this claim should put any such doubt to bed and reassure them that the move has not been a failure, as of yet.

Supporters will also be pleased with this news as it will surely leave them feeling excited about what could be to come from the 24-year-old. In the first half of the campaign, he averaged a terrific SofaScore rating of 7.30 in Ligue 1 for Lyon, making 3.6 tackles and interceptions along with 1.8 key passes per game.

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This suggests that he has the ability to contribute plenty at both ends of the pitch by winning possession back for his team and then being able to deliver passes to team-mates to give them opportunities to score. He would therefore be an outstanding player for Newcastle if he is able to replicate his Ligue 1 form in the Premier League, as he has proven that he is a consistent performer at the top level.

Downie’s claim about how excited the staff are about Guimaraes suggests that he has adapted well to the move, which means that he has a good chance of being able to adapt to life in England on the pitch. It is now up to Howe to decide when the best time to play him from the start will be, although there is no rush as Newcastle are currently on a seven-game unbeaten run in the division.

AND in other news, Mo Diame 2.0: Howe can find NUFC’s new powerhouse in £50m deal for “special” workhorse…

Jesse Marsch is expected to ring the changes as Leeds United welcome Norwich City to Elland Road this afternoon…

What’s the latest?

That’s according to The Athletic’s Phil Hay, who delivered a fresh claim ahead of kick-off. He believes that Rodrigo’s place is under threat after an abject display against Aston Villa in midweek.

The ever-reliable reporter also provided updates on the Whites’ injury situation, and it isn’t good news.

“There’s no Junior Firpo today. He’s going to be out for a little while with this knee injury by the sounds of things,” he said.

“Kalvin Phillips and Liam Cooper aren’t expected to feature either but I think we’ll see changes to the line-up.

“Rodrigo’s place must be under threat and Jesse Marsch has the option of using Joe Gelhardt up front. It might be that he’s still not quite ready to start Patrick Bamford – although that can’t be far away now.”

The right call?

This is certainly a must-win for the Yorkshiremen.

As things stand, Leeds are only two points above the drop zone and six points ahead of today’s opposition, who occupy the bottom spot.

A victory for Dean Smith’s men would halve the gap heading into the final nine games of the season and thus, it would increase the pressure on Marsch substantially.

In what is a crucial six-pointer at Elland Road, something must be done to stop the rot of six successive defeats and altering the starting XI is certainly a positive move, especially in axing the struggling Spaniard.

Whilst Patrick Bamford may not be ready for a start, he is undoubtedly a better option to lead the line, whilst young Joe Gelhardt surely is too as both are natural strikers.

It would be a bold call from the American coach but one that would please much of the Whites’ faithful as every time Joffy enters the fray, there’s a roar from all around Elland Road – not just that, he has proven his credentials at this level, as seen by his impressive goal against Chelsea earlier in the season.

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That said, if Bamford is fit enough to feature, then that would also be encouraging.

Phillips and Cooper are still expected to miss out but changes to Thursday’s lineup should provide some hope to supporters today.

AND in other news, Marsch must axe £13.5m-rated Leeds lightweight today, he’s been abysmal without Bielsa…

Celtic have found themselves in the race to win the Premiership title this season under the management of Ange Postecoglou.

With 30 league games played, the Parkhead club have won 23, drawn four and lost three, once again making themselves a force to be reckoned with.

Along with their impressive results, the Hoops have also shown how deadly they are in front of goal having found the net 65 times, also being very strong at the back with just 18 goals conceded.

Before the season kicked off, Celtic were incredibly busy in terms of bringing new players into the club and moving others out.

One summer recruit in particular who has gone on to prove a solid player for Postecoglou’s side and contribute to their impressive defensive record is Cameron Carter-Vickers, who is currently picking up £22k-per-week according to Salary Sport.

Having arrived on loan from Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur, the American has made 37 appearances for the Hoops across all competitions, chipping in with three goals and one assist in the process.

In the league, fellow defender Carl Starfelt is the only outfield player to rack up more minutes for Celtic than the 24-year-old, highlighting how important he has been for the team.

However, the Spurs loanee has made more clearances per game (4.4) in the league this season than his Swedish defensive partner and any other Celtic player, along with the joint-highest number of blocks per game (0.4) compared to any other Hoops player to have started at least one league match.

In addition, the £2.7m-rated defender has averaged one tackle and 1.2 interceptions per game with 107 aerial duels won, showing just how much of a unit he has been at the back for his current club.

All in all, the loanee -who has been dubbed “outstanding” by Greg Taylor – has earned himself an overall performance rating of 7.34/10, making him the fourth-highest rated player currently in Postecoglou’s squad according to WhoScored.

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If the American can keep delivering solid performances for the Hoops until the end of the season, he could well end his loan spell with a league title under his belt.

Looking beyond that, it would seem wise for the Parkhead club to try and sign the defender on a permanent deal from the north London club when the summer transfer window opens.

In other news: Celtic handed big Lennoxtown lift which will have Hoops supporters buzzing

Newcastle United are prepared to offload Miguel Almiron this summer as they look to rebuild Eddie Howe’s squad at St James’ Park.

What’s the story?

According to Football Insider, the Magpies are planning to sell Almiron in the upcoming summer transfer window, and that they are willing to sell him for a loss in order to free up a space in the squad and reduce the cost of their wage bill.

A Newcastle source has revealed that the attacking midfielder’s exit is part of a planned overhaul geared towards taking the club to the next level.

Howe’s ruthless decision

With a record of just 13 goals and five assists in a whopping 115 games for the Magpies, the Paraguay international has been a huge disappointment since his arrival at St James’ Park.

After being brought in for a club-record fee of £20m, the 28-year-old has struggled to really stamp his authority, and his campaign this year has largely encapsulated his wider troubles – he’s managed no goals and no assists in 24 games across all competitions.

Speaking a couple of years ago, former Premier League defender Danny Mills took aim at the Paraguayan’s lack of end product, saying: “That’s the problem, he’s working very, very hard but he’s in the team to be creative, he’s in the team to create chances and to score goals. He’s not doing it. To work hard is normal, to work hard is mandatory. That’s the very, very least every player should be doing.

“You get put in a team as a defender to stop the opposition scoring.  You get put in as a defensive midfielder to break things up, you get put in as a striker to score goals, you get put in as a creative midfielder to create chances and score goals – he’s not doing that.”

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The £75k-a-week earning ace just isn’t the kind of player who you could believe would help take the Magpies to a new level under Howe, and it’s exactly why the Newcastle boss must make the ruthless decision to sell him.

AND in other news: Sold at £2.2m, now worth £90m: Ashley had a big NUFC disaster on “unstoppable” wizard

Aston Villa correspondent Ashley Preece has made a claim on Leon Baily ahead of this afternoon’s trip to Wolves.

The Lowdown: Bailey’s first season

Bailey has had a season to forget at Villa Park after joining the club last summer in a £28.8m deal from Bayer Leverkusen.

The 24-year-old missed most of December and January with a thigh problem and is yet to start a game since returning from injury. He has been limited to four total starts in the Premier League, scoring just once in a Villa shirt.

The Latest: Preece’s post

Preece took to Twitter on Friday afternoon to make a prediction on the winger after playing 90 minutes for Jamaica during the international break and enduring the long-haul flight back to the Midlands on Thursday.

“I don’t suspect we’ll see too much of Leon Bailey tomorrow at Molineux given his 90-minute outing for Jamaica and nine-hour flight back on Thursday.”

The Verdict: Makes sense

Bailey, who has been described as a player who ‘can do anything’, last started a league game on December 1. Therefore, it makes sense, especially following his international outing, to use him sparingly at Molineux.

Steven Gerrard appears to have found a winning formula in a narrow 4-3-1-2 system, so that too could go against Bailey in the final games of the season, and perhaps we may even see rumours start to emerge on a possible exit in the coming months if he cannot force his way into the manager’s plans.

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In other news: Sources: Villa and Lange now make contact with ‘tall’ forward’s agent; possible club-record move. 

Everton have not had the easiest of Premier League campaigns this season. With 27 league games played, the Toffees have managed to lose 16 of them, drawing four and winning just seven.

One other worrying aspect of their disheartening run in the league this time around is the number of goals they’ve conceded, with 47 having found the back of Jordan Pickford’s goal, leaving only Leeds United, Newcastle United, Watford and Norwich City with weaker defences.

With only 11 league games left to play to help secure their place in the top flight next season, it’s crunch time for Frank Lampard’s side.

Looking ahead to this critical period for the Merseyside club and everyone connected to it, it seems as though they could be set to welcome back one vital figure in the coming weeks that will a big say on whether or not they are relegated.

What’s the news?

According to a recent Twitter post from injury analyst Ben Dinnery, Everton defender Yerry Mina “will step up his recovery at Finch Farm this week,” having been out of action for the past few weeks with a thigh issue.

The Colombian has struggled with injuries for stages of this latest campaign with the Goodison Park outfit, having played a full 90 minutes on just six occasions in the league.

Supporters surely buzzing

To highlight Mina’s usefulness at the back for the Toffees, last season saw him win 70% of the tackles he made, which is higher than any other defender at Goodison Park. As a result, it’s already evident just how big of a boost this will be for the club.

Taking into account how Everton managed to concede four goals in their previous outing that saw them get knocked out of the FA Cup as a result of a 4-0 drubbing against Crystal Palace, things need to change at the back immediately.

With Mason Holgate, Michael Keane and Ben Godfrey struggling to contain the Eagles at Selhurst Park with just two tackles made between the trio, the return of Mina will give Frank Lampard the chance to swap things around in defence to make his side as hard to play and score against as possible.

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This would also give the supporters a much-needed buzz if the 27-year-old can bring some stability to the team when he returns and potentially guide the club to safety.

In other news: Moshiri can seal Frank’s dream transfer as EFC plot bid for “magical” £16.2m-rated ace

Manchester City are now making moves to sign an “outstanding” Premier League star in January, with Pep Guardiola personally an admirer.

Man City's plans for January taking shape

Man City are hot on Arsenal’s heels near the top of the table, sending out a message with an emphatic 3-0 victory against high-flying Crystal Palace last time out, a day after Mikel Arteta’s side stumbled past 20th-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers.

As we approach the half-way stage of the season, City are just two points behind the Gunners, and they could maintain the pressure on the league leaders by making some new additions to the squad in the January transfer window.

AFC Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo is among the targets, with Pep a big fan of the winger, who has seven goals to his name in the Premier League this season, and the Blues have now emerged as the leading contenders in the race for his signature.

Semenyo is not the only Premier League star on the shortlist, however, with a report from Spain revealing Man City have now joined the race to sign Crystal Palace’s Daniel Munoz, who is attracting widespread interest from some top clubs.

Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea are also ‘making moves’ to sign Munoz, with it last month being revealed that a £26m deal could be possible, although the more recent report makes it clear the Eagles have little interest in sanctioning a departure.

Pep is personally an admirer of the right-back’s ‘ability to understand the passing game’, but it remains to be seen whether Palace soften their stance, given that they remain in a strong negotiating position, with the 29-year-old contracted until 2028.

"Outstanding" Munoz has earned move to top club

In truth, there are some doubts over whether Man City need to bring in another right-back, given the level of Matheus Nunes’ performances this season, with the Portugal international recently being praised by Pep for his performance against Palace.

The City boss said: “Matheus (Nunes) is growing every time. He’s becoming an incredible full-back, incredible. He’s a top, top player. His cross (to Erling Haaland) was fantastic.”

Related Nunes upgrade: Man City enter race to sign "one of the best RWBs in the PL"

Pep Guardiola wants Manchester City to sign this Premier League star who would be a big upgrade on Matheus Nunes.

Posts ByDan Emery

However, Munoz has certainly earned a move to a big club with his performances for the Eagles, particularly impressing from an attacking point of view, chipping in with ten goals and 14 assists in 85 appearances for the Eagles.

Subscribe for deeper Premier League transfer insight Explore transfer implications — subscribe to the newsletter for concise, grounded analysis of Man City’s targets and what links to players like Daniel Munoz mean for squad balance. Clear Premier League transfer coverage and context. Subscribe Subscribe for deeper Premier League transfer insight Explore transfer implications — subscribe to the newsletter for concise, grounded analysis of Man City’s targets and what links to players like Daniel Munoz mean for squad balance. Clear Premier League transfer coverage and context.

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Oliver Glasner has lauded the Colombian for his work ethic too, saying: “Daniel has an outstanding training mentality. Every training session he’s the guy who’s running most, who’s sprinting most.”

Having proven himself in England over the past three seasons, Munoz could be an exciting signing for Man City, but it would be a little harsh to replace Nunes, who has one goal and four assists to his name in the Premier League this season.

In the run in to Germany’s opening World Cup match against Australia on Sunday, new captain Philipp Lahm was quick to point out that confidence within the squad was very high and that their emerging stars were more than capable of setting ‘the world alight’. Four goals later and it seems his words were not completely without merit.

“We are a young and hungry team. It’s noticeable at every training session [that] the team trains with great enthusiasm and tempo. Being part of a World Cup is a key event in anyone’s life and we want to hit the ground running.”

They did just that with a thumping 4-0 victory over Australia. Yes, Australia were poor; but Germany were also very good. Germany entered the World Cup with its youngest squad in 76 years due to a mixture of injuries, form and Joachim Loew’s desire to integrate young talent. Their single striker system highlighted a good balance that exists between the attacking quartet and defensive pivot of the team. Lahm, himself only 26, is a veteran in the squad and articulated a difference in the German play that we all were privy to in their victory:

“We have more players who are able to win one-on-one situations, more players who are technically strong and more players who enjoy having the ball – so [there are] fewer ‘typically German’ players, and that is really good for us.”

It has been commented that the diminished number of ‘typically German’ players may in part be down to 11 of the 23-man squad not being from German heritage. Ozil’s parents are Turkish. Marin is Bosnian by birth and plays alongside Ozil in Werder Bremen’s midfield. And Khedira, whose father is Tunisian, was given his World Cup debut to fill the not-so-small shoes of an injured Michael Ballack. It may just be a coincidence but it does go some way in reflecting the German team’s playing style becoming more multi dimensional: these players all add a rounded, less predictable and more attacking dimension to the traditional tenets (power, strength, and efficiency) of German football. Then again, these young players are all German and it is their talents that have been nurtured well – not their nationality.

Loew’s willingness to assimilate future stars into the present squad is brilliant to see. Six of his players come from the German U21 European title winning team from 2009. The squad has an average age of under 25 and only three players over the age of 30. Podolski (25), Schweinsteiger (25), and captain Lahm (26) are three of the most experienced members in the team and, between them, hold a staggering 213 caps. Don’t let age fool anyone: these guys are still young but by no means inexperienced.

Whilst it is important not to be carried away by an opening game victory against a relatively poor Australia team, this should not detract from the refreshing and implicitly faithful stance that Loew has taken with the national side. The coach himself admits the team is still a few years off from being the finished article but he is providing his young players with vital experience on world football’s biggest stage.

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