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Manchester City got the first trophy of the season on the board on Sunday, but Liverpool fans have found a reason to be optimistic despite their title rival’s success.

Liverpool clawed themselves back to the top of the league this weekend, drawing 0-0 at Old Trafford in a really poor match.

Manchester United offered very little going forward barring the odd set piece flashed across goal, and Jurgen Klopp’s side were equally incapable of breaking down their opponents.

Meanwhile, their title rivals beat Chelsea on penalties to retain the Carabao Cup, with ex-Red Raheem Sterling scoring the winning spot kick.

It wasn’t all plain sailing for Pep Guardiola’s side though, as both Aymeric Laporte and Fernandinho left Sunday’s cup final, and Guardiola confirmed they could have serious problems.

“(They both) felt something, muscular, they will be out for some weeks,” the Spaniard said, as reported by GOAL.com’s Sam Lee.

Laporte has become City’s most trustworthy centre back this season, while Fernandinho’s absence could be an even bigger loss – the Brazilian missed the defeats to Crystal Palace and Leicester.

You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…

Wolverhampton Wanderers have had their hopes of signing the next Diogo Jota boosted by Valencia after the Spanish side agreed to let Goncalo Guedes leave permanently.

What’s the news?

The La Liga outfit have made their intentions clear – they are willing to let their Portuguese starlet leave permanently this summer.

They signed him from French Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain on loan in 2017, making his transfer a permanent one the following year.

According to Calciomercato, Valencia have decided that the 25-year-old ‘can leave’, although it is claimed that they will only sell for €40m (£33m) – the same fee that they paid to Paris Saint-Germain four years ago.

Guedes is not short of admirers, with Jose Mourinho’s Roma reportedly monitoring the 25-year-old for several months.

Wolves’ next Jota

Wolves have struggled to create chances this season, scoring just 31 goals and creating a measly 33 big chances

Francisco Trincao, who is on loan from Barcelona, has disappointed this season, offering just two goals and one assist in 24 appearances, and he has consequently struggled for game-time as of late.

It seems clear that the Old Gold require a fresh source of creativity, and a move for Guedes can not only solve their problem, but could also have echoes of their shrewd capture of Jota. The current Liverpool star made an instant impression after joining Wolves on loan in 2017, with 17 league goals that season persuading the Black Country outfit to sign him permanently.

He left for Anfield in 2020 having netted 44 goals and supplied 19 assists in 131 appearances, and Wolves may well be hoping for a similar return from his compatriot Guedes.

Currently sat on 11 goals, the 25-year-old is enduring his best domestic campaign to date and is Valencia’s top scorer in La Liga this season.

It’s not just his goal-threat which has stood out, as he has also demonstrated ability as an out-and-out creator. In the Valencia squad this season, Guedes has created the highest amount of big chances with seven and is joint-top with fellow prospect Carlos Soler in terms of assists, with five.

His ball-carrying ability is one of his best attributes and has helped Valencia progress on the pitch this season. His 1.8 successful dribbles per match rank him highest in Los Che’s squad in La Liga.

Considering that Wolves have struggled to create and score goals this season, a move for Guedes makes sense and should be prioritised. In turn, Bruno Lage may just end up recruiting Jota 2.0 at Molineux.

In 0ther news – Wolves need to avoid signing Barcelona flop this summer

Wolves still have a few days left to strengthen their squad in the January transfer window before the deadline hits, but it seems as though the Midlands club may have identified one player who they could bring in when the summer transfer window rolls around instead.

What’s the news?

According to a recent report from TEAMtalk, Wolves are interested in signing Blackburn Rovers defender Darragh Lenihan alongside other Premier League clubs such as Newcastle United, Leeds United, Aston Villa and Everton.

Since joining the Lancashire club’s under-18 side back in 2011, the 27-year-old – who is currently earning £14k-per-week according to Salary Sport – made his senior debut for Blackburn in April 2015 under Gary Bower in a 2-0 win over Millwall.

Overall, the defender has gone on to make 237 senior appearances for the club across all competitions, scoring nine goals and providing six assists along the way, and he has been labelled a “man mountain” in the past by his manager Tony Mowbray.

With 26 league appearances under his belt so far this season with two goals and one assist, the Irishman’s performances have been rather impressive. WhoScored list him as Blackburn’s highest-rated player with an overall rating of 7.25/10, which could be why so many Premier League clubs reportedly have their eye on him.

Lage would be delighted

With Wolves manager Bruno Lage previously revealing his wishes to have a new centre-back in his squad, only to then come out and say that it may not be likely for the club to sign one this month, this could pave the way for them to make a summer move for Lenihan when his contract at Blackburn expires and sign him as a free agent.

If this were to happen, this would surely leave the Old Gold boss feeling delighted to have such a seemingly capable defensive bulwark in his squad, despite Lenihan not having any previous Premier League experience.

However, Blackburn are very much in the race to win promotion to the top flight at this moment in time; and if they were to eventually get there, it could be difficult for Wolves to sign the defender, with the report also claiming that he would be willing to extend his stay at the club if they secure promotion at the end of this campaign.

In other news: Wolves eye late swoop for £8.1m-rated beast who “looks the part”, Lage must be ecstatic

On the back of a strong campaign last year, West Ham United have continued to move in the right way this season. With a good start, they have put themselves into contention for the top four in the Premier League, and also made big strides in Europe, qualifying top of their Europa League group.The Europa League success they are having, in particular, is a strong highlight for them. Despite a long list of very strong Champions League teams entering the competition, the latest UEFA Europa League odds have West Ham at 9/1, which makes them joint-fourth favourites to win the competition.There will be a lot of focus on West Ham, but also elsewhere, with the likes of Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund and Sevilla all now in the Europa League, and sure to feature amongst Europa League betting tips in the future. The task for West Ham has become a lot harder since the arrival of those Champions League big names, and others, but it is a sign of just how far West Ham have come and how much they’ve impressed in this competition, that they are still near the top of the betting.You only need to go back a couple of years and fans would not have thought this was possible.

West Ham’s European Success

West Ham were one of the highlights of the group stage, qualifying top of the group to avoid the forthcoming playoff round and finishing with 13 points. That was incredibly important for the Hammers, as that means they avoid the big Champions League teams, for now -Âthose who finished second in the group stageÂhave to face one of those.

They averaged almost two goals per game and conceded just three in the group stage, against some good teams for the level and in some tough environments when they played away from home. Their first game was perhaps the toughest, and resulted in a good 2-0 away win over Dinamo Zagreb, to kick off their campaign in style and give the team a lot of confidence.

Premier League Growth

While the top four may be a little out of reach this season, despite a very strong start, the top six is certainly on, and that would mean a return to European football next season, regardless of where they finish in the Europa League. Of course, winning the Europa League would mean a place in the Champions League next season, which would be huge for the club.

The biggest question for West Ham may be whether they can keep up their challenge in both competitions. In theirÂ2-0 loss to Arsenal, West Ham looked a little tired and struggled in the game, things are only going to get worse.

At some point, the club may have to prioritise one over the other and rest some players for a game they would rather not. However, the fact that West Ham are even making these decisions should be seen as a positive to how they have played recently, and where the club currently is.

Image from: unsplash.com

Aston Villa winger Trezeguet could still leave the club over the coming weeks and has interest from Turkey, according to Birmingham Live.

The Lowdown: Trezeguet’s injury-hit season

Trezeguet, who Gregg Evans felt was the ‘scapegoat’ early in his Villa career, has made just one appearance all season.

The Egyptian has missed the majority of the campaign with a knee problem, with Steven Gerrard describing the 27-year-old as a ‘unique situation’ last month.

He’s currently away with his country at the Africa Cup of Nations, where Egypt are in the final against Senegal, and it seems as if his time in the Midlands could be up this month.

The Latest: Interest from Turkey

According to Birmingham Live, Trezeguet may still depart the club this winter and has interest from Turkey, with their transfer window not closing until Tuesday.

He has been included in Gerrard’s revised Premier League squad list for the second half of the season but now has two days to seal a move to Turkey.

The Verdict: Time to go?

Should Trezeguet leave, Gerrard would be left with four wingers, two on either side, which should be more than enough for the remainder of the season. Ollie Watkins has also turned out on the wing under Gerrard, so a move away for Trezeguet could be best for all parties involved.

Johan Lange will have to be quick, though, especially as sides in the Super Lig have until Tuesday to finalise their winter business.

Villa forked out £9m for Trezeguet back in 2019 and he is still valued at that figure, so you’d expect Villa may be looking at recouping the majority of that in any permanent transfer.

In other news: Villa and Lange now set to sign another young gem for Gerrard; personal terms agreed. 

Many Sunderland fans have been left buzzing over some news that has emerged involving Trai Hume.

As per the official website of the Stadium of Light faithful, they have now signed the youngster from Linfield for an undisclosed fee on a four-and-a-half-year deal, with the option of a further year.

He can play both at right-back and in midfield, and will now give Lee Johnson another handy option in his squad ahead of their promotion push.

Hume has previously been dubbed as one of the hottest properties in the Irish League, and had scored three goals and made a further two assists from 17 games this season (Transfermarkt) before moving to the North East.

Nonetheless, at just 19 years of age, he is no doubt an exciting prospect, and one that can Johnson can now integrate into his team.

Sunderland fans on Hume transfer news

These Black Cats buzzed as the transfer news was shared on Twitter, with one SAFC supporter claiming that they were ‘delighted’ while another even went as far as to say that he will be a ‘cracking signing’:

“Yes lads, this fella’s going to be a cracking signing for us.”

Credit: @stuorr

“Delighted with this, people only seem to have positive things to say about both his ability and attitude. Welcome on board kidda, go make yourself a legend!!!”

Credit: @Blackcatlife197

“5 and a half years essentially. Love to see it.”

Credit: @adamguest

“I love you”

Credit: @1879Fans

“Get in!”

Credit: @GazJFisher

“Things you love to see”

Credit: @callumwoodley2

In other news, find out what fresh injury update Johnson has dropped here!

With David Moyes’ West Ham United side securing a famous 3-2 victory at the London Stadium on Saturday afternoon, it feels somewhat harsh to take aim at one of the club’s less experienced players for his display against an incredibly impressive Chelsea team.

However, it is, unfortunately, an unavoidable conclusion to draw from the fixture that 21-year-old Ben Johnson had something of a shocker against Thomas Tuchel’s side, a fact that, in being pointed out, is quite literally adding insult to injury – as the right-back was withdrawn shortly before half-time after pulling his hamstring.

Indeed, while it cannot be argued that Johnson is one of the most promising defensive talents to graduate from the Hammers academy in recent seasons, over his 45 minutes on the pitch against Chelsea, the versatile right-back far from enjoyed his finest game in claret and blue.

Being deployed on the opposite flank against the then-table-toppers, the £2.7m-rated man endured a rather torrid afternoon up against Hakim Ziyech and Reece James, managing a grand total of just 26 touches of the ball – 12 fewer than Lukasz Fabianski between the West Ham sticks – completed a mere six of his 12 attempted passes and lost possession of the ball on ten separate occasions.

The £19k-per-week defender also lost both of his two attempted duels – a failure rate of 100% – made no tackles, failed with all three of his attempted crosses and gave away one foul.

These returns saw the youngster receive a very disappointing SofaScore match rating of 6.4, with no other player who started for the Hammers earning a lower score.

Indeed, Football.London journalist Tom Clarke also awarded the fan-favourite the joint-lowest score in his own West Ham match ratings, stating of Johnson: “Unfortunate to be injured and out of position for Mason Mount’s goal but had found himself beaten a couple of times by Ziyech on the left – 6.”

As such, while the 21-year-old who Moyes dubbed a “really important” player will undoubtedly bounce back following his recovery from injury, this was far from his finest display for the Hammers, and is a performance he will be hoping to put behind him as quickly as possible.

In other news: Forget Bowen: West Ham’s “fantastic” 5-tackle beast seized his “big chance” vs Chelsea

Aston Villa will be ‘keeping an eye’ on the situation at Burnley following links to winger Dwight McNeil, The Birmingham Mail’s Richard Cusack writes.

The lowdown

Burnley announced on Friday that they had parted company with manager Sean Dyche after 10 years in charge.

The Clarets, 18th in the table and four points from safety with eight games remaining, are facing the prospect of relegation after six seasons in the top flight.

It was Dyche who handed McNeil his debut in 17/18, and the 50-year-old picked him for almost every Premier League match across the last three seasons.

The Athletic’s Andy Jones reported last summer that Steven Gerrard’s predecessor, Dean Smith, had personally scouted McNeil, and Cusack wrote in January that Gerrard could possibly revisit the move this year.

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The latest

Aston Villa are ‘likely’ to be monitoring events at Turf Moor, Cusack writes, because the squad is ‘laden with talent’.

He picks out McNeil as a player Villa are said to admire and says that he ‘might well be available’ come the summer.

However, The Villans would potentially face competition, with other teams ‘no doubt’ considering a move too.

The verdict

McNeil has actually endured something of a difficult season. He’s only managed to record one goal involvement, when in the last three campaigns he’d managed at least seven.

He was even booed by his own supporters during last month’s 4-0 home defeat against Chelsea.

Villa may prefer to focus on how good McNeil can be at his best, whilst simultaneously hoping that this low-key season has driven the £19.8million-rated Englishman’s value down.

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp has previously described him as a player with ‘real quality’ who should be commanding the attention of sides competing for Europe.

In other news, Pete O’Rourke makes this claim about an attacking target.

Newcastle United feature on Dele Alli’s list of transfer options, according to The Chronicle’s Lee Ryder. 

The lowdown

The 25-year-old’s Spurs future is in doubt after he was left out of Antonio Conte’s matchday squad for Sunday’s visit to Chelsea. The Englishman has started eight league games this season, but hasn’t played a minute of top-flight football since the end of December.

It was reported before the January transfer window that Newcastle would focus on players with Premier League experience. Their first two additions of the month – former Spurs defender Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood from Burnley – both fit that particular bill.

The latest

Sharing a link to his piece in The Chronicle on his personal Twitter feed, Ryder said: “Newcastle remain an option for Dele Alli after midfielder is axed by Tottenham”.

The report stated that the 25-year-old’s agency Base also work with Wood and Trippier, and they enjoy a ‘good rapport’ with the Magpies’ head of recruitment Steve Nickson.

Ryder said that relationship could prove to be ‘key’, but warned that ‘it may be down to’ whether Dele is ready to take on a Premier League relegation battle for the remainder of the season.

The verdict

The big question around Dele is whether he will ever recapture the levels he showed at the start of his Premier League career. In his first three top-flight seasons, he contributed to a hugely impressive 66 goals, but his numbers have dropped markedly since then (via Transfermarkt).

There have been encouraging flashes this season. For example, he produced what The Athletic’s Charlie Eccleshare called a ‘superb’ performance in a 2-2 draw with Liverpool last month, completing five out of seven dribbles, making four clearances and creating a big chance (via Sofascore).

Also, Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane reckons that Dele could ‘get his career going’ at St James’ Park, where ‘the fans would love him’. It could well be one for Newcastle to strongly consider.

In other news, this trio struggled against Leeds on Saturday

Leeds United star Raphinha has been his team’s saviour on numerous occasions this season, scoring eight Premier League goals in what has been a largely dismal campaign for the Yorkshire club.

However, the Brazilian has attracted plenty of interest whilst at Elland Road, with German giants Bayern Munich reportedly the latest prospective suitors to express an interest.

What’s the story?

According to French outlet Jeunes Footeux, Bayern are keen on the 25-year-old playmaker as a replacement for Kingsley Coman amid doubt regarding the Frenchman’s future in Munich.

The latter has had to deal with numerous fitness issues, including a heart condition, which has seen him in and out of Julian Nagelsmann’s side.

Furthermore, the report suggests that the Premier League outfit have put a price tag on their star player as opposed to refusing to sell for any fee. It is claimed that the Whites want €40m (£34m) for the Brazilian gem.

Leeds fans will be terrified

The prospect of Raphinha leaving Elland Road, especially mid-season, is a daunting thought for Leeds fans. With the Whites sat in 16th place after an underwhelming start to the season, the Brazilian has been a shining light in what has been a dreary campaign, netting almost half of their Premier League goals so far.

To emphasise how vital the 25-year-old is for the Whites, he is currently the top-flight’s fourth top scorer, despite Leeds being fifth from bottom.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side are certainly in a relegation battle, particularly following their recent form of one win in eight and conceding 16 goals in the last four games. Without their key talisman in front of goal, the Whites would be in a much greater predicament and their top-flight status would certainly be at huge risk.

It does appear inevitable that Raphinha will one day seek a new challenge, but to leave mid-season would put Leeds into major trouble given his importance to the team and their current position.

In other news – Forget Ayling: £15.3m-rated dud who made one tackle was Leeds’ villain on Saturday