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Lee Ryder slammed the display of Jeff Hendrick for Newcastle United in their 1-0 loss in the Premier League on Tuesday night, awarding him a measly three out of ten in his player ratings.

The St. James’ Park faithful suffered an embarrassing defeat at the hands of the Yorkshire club currently sitting at the foot of the top flight table, and while Ryan Fraser was blasted for his ‘plain stupidity’ by the football journalist for getting sent off late on in the first half after two bookable offences in quick succession for Steve Bruce’s team, Ryder did not hold back on Hendrick either.

Writing in his player ratings piece for The Chronicle, he said that the former Burnley man ‘lacked urgency’ and added that he ‘doesn’t look like he can cope with pressure’, giving him a very low 3/10 score, the joint-second lowest with DeAndre Yedlin behind Fraser, to whom he gave a 2/10 overall rating.

Hendrick was poor for Newcastle

Even though many of the Magpies players were very poor on the night, especially Fraser, Hendrick did not cover himself in glory.

The Republic of Ireland international lost out on 67% of his duels in the game, and also failed to record a single shot or tackle (Sofascore) – it is hardly ideal for a midfield player to lose more battles than he wins while also providing nothing in an attacking sense.

The 28 year-old also lost possession of the ball no fewer than seven times in the match, earning him a quite measly 6.8 overall rating on Sofascore.

Nonetheless, it was an evening to forget for both Hendrick and the Tyneside club.

In other news, find out what takeover update has been dropped involving PIF here!

For a considerable period of time it looked as though Wolves would fail to bring a striker to Molineux.However, that changed on Wednesday afternoon after news emerged from Spain.

What’s the word?

According to news from Ser Deportivos, relayed by journalist Tim Spiers, Wolves are on the verge of signing Willian Jose from Real Sociedad.

He claims that Wolves have acted quickly after losing their last two games and are now trying to bring the 29-year-old to Molineux on loan.

The deal is set to include an option to buy the striker in the summer but according to Fabrizio Romano, there are still terms to be agreed.

He reveals that the loan fee and option to buy price is to be negotiated over the coming days.

Perfect Jimenez replacement

If you could cherry-pick the best Raul Jimenez replacements from around Europe then it is incredibly likely that Jose would appear high up on the list.

Jimenez, of course, has been missing for a while now after sustaining a fractured skull against Arsenal and since he’s been absent, the club have won just two of their last ten games.

Signing a new forward, especially one who matches the qualities of Jimenez, was absolutely imperative.

Jose is a natural goal scorer and he proved as much just hours after being linked with Wolves on Wednesday. The Brazilian netted two goals in a 2-0 victory over Cordoba in the Copa del Rey, one of which included a lovely crisp strike from the edge of the area.

Spiers describes Jose as a “Giroud-type striker†and it’s clear to see why based on the stats, a set of numbers that make him comparable to Jimenez.

For starters, there is just an inch in height between them, while they win a similar number of aerial duels per game. Wolves’ Mexican sensation has won 1.5 aerial battles a match in the Premier League this term compared to Jose’s tally of 1.1.

Though, he brings further elements of power according to Terry Gibson who said the following a few years ago: “WillianÂJose is the type of striker who could flourish in the Premier League. He’s been linked with Premier League clubs in the past. He’s physical, very fast, is improving season-by-season and is now an accomplished centre forward.”

When signing a striker, supporters will often look towards their goal record and they needn’t fear about the Sociedad forward’s record in that regard.

He has scored 62 in 170 for the Spanish club – six of which have come in 2020/21. It’s not the most eye-catching number this term, but the £34k-per-week earner is a very capable and physical striker.

AND in other news, Time’s up: Wolves must wield the axe on £62.9k-p/w flop, he’s ransacked Shi’s pockets…

After a scare in the FA Cup fourth round against Cheltenham Town at the weekend, Manchester City were eventually able to progress thanks to a late flurry of goals.

However, the performance may be a cause for concern for Pep Guardiola, as those on the fringes of his squad arguably failed to perform against League Two opposition.

Therefore, it seems likely that the Spanish manager will make plenty of changes for the trip to West Brom on Tuesday night, where a win could take the Citizens to the top of the Premier League table.

Here’s how Football FanCast expects Guardiola to line his side up against the Baggies, with nine changes from the team that beat Cheltenham…

Ederson returns in goal with Zack Steffen having seemingly established himself as Manchester City’s cup goalkeeper with another appearance against Cheltenham Town last weekend.

Guardiola will likely rotate his entire defence, with John Stones and Ruben Dias resuming their partnership at centre-back, whilst Joao Cancelo and Oleksandr Zinchenko come in for Eric Garcia and Benjamin Mendy at full-back.

Phil Foden is one of just two City players to keep his place, and he drops into midfield to fill the void left by Kevin De Bruyne, who misses out through injury, with Rodri and Ilkay Gundogan providing the more defensive duties in midfield.

Raheem Sterling comes in for Ferran Torres on the left-wing, with Bernardo Silva replacing Riyad Mahrez on the right, with the Portugal international having finally found his shooting boots in recent weeks following his goal against Aston Villa.

Gabriel Jesus keeps his place up front after his winning goal at the weekend, but the Brazilian can not afford to be so wasteful against Sam Allardyce’s side on Tuesday night.

And, in other news… Txiki can sign Pep a Gabriel Jesus upgrade in “top goalscorer”

When Marcelo Bielsa muttered last week that he was happy with his Leeds squad in January, it was disappointing to hear.

Of course, the Daniel James and Jean-Kevin Augustin sagas tell you that United don’t tend to do business too well in January but they need recruits.

The Whites missed out on Michael Cuisance in the summer who failed a medical at Elland Road and despite lacking options in the middle of the park, are unwilling to think of alternatives.

Though, with Rodrigo going off with an injury against Leicester on Sunday, it only proved why Victor Orta needs to head back into the market for a central player.

Mateusz Klich has been hopelessly out of form lately and has scored just once since the opening weekend of the campaign. Noel Whelan thinks he’s been drifting through games and the very fact he’s now started two games in a row on the bench says a lot.

The Pole is usually the first name on the team sheet and has failed to start in the league under the current manager on just three occasions. Combine Bielsa’s dwindling trust in Klich with the fact Rodrigo is struggling in English football and is now injured, Leeds simply have to be active on deadline day.

One midfield player they’ve been linked with recently is Barcelona’s Riqui Puig. The Spaniard has seemingly patched things up with Ronald Koeman after a falling out but with minimal game time being the subject of Puig’s season, a move to Leeds would be perfect for all involved.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-this-weeks-latest-leeds-transfer-news” title=”Read this week’s latest Leeds news!”]

The 21-year-old is a magician on the ball and if anyone typifies a Bielsa player, it would be him. The youngster is composed in possession, completing 89.6% of his passes this term. For context, that’s higher than every single outfield player at Leeds.

For Puig, football is an art form and he possesses an abundance of creativity. His 1.7 key passes per game in the Champions League this season is bettered only by Klich and Jack Harrison in the Whites’ squad.

At just 21, the £25k-per-week Spaniard has the world at his feet and you only need to consult words from former Italy international Gennaro Gattuso to understand that.

He said: “Riqui Puig is a spectacle, to see boys who still have a child’s face and how they treat the ball is something that amazes me, they feel football inside and it’s something like poetry. I’ve heard them talking about him for some time, it’s something you can’t cut and paste into another club.”

Those are special words and with Leeds licking their wounds in the middle of the park, they desperately need another playmaker. With Rodrigo now injured, Puig is their man.

AND in other news, Bielsa must start to unshackle rarely-seen Leeds gem, Phillips says he’s “really good”…

Many Liverpool fans reacted in fury after reports emerged regarding Marseille defender Duje Caleta-Car.

According to the Independent, Jurgen Klopp’s side were too slow to react in their pursuit of the 24-year-old centre-back, as the Premier League champions looked to address the injury crisis in their backline.

The report added that if The Reds had acted sooner, then the Ligue 1 club would have sanctioned a £20m transfer as it would have given them enough time to find a replacement before the deadline passed.

Despite a deal for Caleta-Car collapsing, Liverpool brought Preston North End’s Ben Davies and Schalke’s Ozan Kabak through the door instead – neither of whom have been involved in any competitive action as of yet.

This report was tweeted out by the Anfield Watch Twitter account and it prompted a hostile response towards the club’s owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) and the majority shareholder John Henry, who was recently accused of not backing Klopp by well-respected journalist Henry Winter.

Fans not impressed with Caleta-Car revelation

“FSG out”

Credit: @gegenklopp100

“I’m not happy”

Credit: @mohlolz

“FSG in the mud”

Credit: @WinnermanWills

“Disgusting FSG”

Credit: @manas0123

“Hahaha you couldn’t make it up”

Credit: @1CraigFisher

“Oh my god, get these Americans out #FSGOut”

Credit: @bagsmanbrewster

In other news, Ex-Liverpool star tips Reds to sign big-name superstar.

Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that Allan may not be available for Everton’s clash against West Bromwich Albion on Thursday.

Allan may be out

The Toffees are in action again in just two days’ time as they travel to The Hawthorns to play West Brom.

Following his team’s 1-0 victory over Southampton on Monday, Ancelotti revealed that Everton may be without the former Napoli midfielder in the Midlands. He told BBC Sport:

“We have time to recover for Thursday. Allan was back after two months, we have to take care of this, it might be more difficult for him.”

Disappointing

This will no doubt be disappointing for Ancelotti. When Allan has been available, he has been an important player for the Merseyside outfit. No player amongst his teammates to start more than one game has averaged more than his 3.4 tackles per game in the Premier League (WhoScored), while he has also managed an 87% passing accuracy rate throughout the campaign.

Unfortunately, injury problems have reduced him to just 13 appearances in the top flight (Transfermarkt). Ancelotti is right to be cautious with the £22.5m-valued 30-year-old, but now that he has returned to the first team, the Italian will be hoping that the tenacious midfielder can play a big role between now and the end of the season as the Toffees go in search of a place in next season’s Champions League.

In other news, Ancelotti is ready to sanction the sale of this in-form striker.

David Moyes should urge West Ham United to launch a summer swoop to sign Bologna FC 1909 goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski.

What’s the word?

According to TuttoBolognaWeb, several Premier League sides are monitoring Skorupski’s situation at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara after his impressive run of form in the Serie A.

The 29-year-old Poland international has kept four clean sheets in 18 Italian top-flight outings this season, as Sinisa Mihajlovic’s side strive to secure a mid-table finish.

Skorupski has been Mihajlovic’s number one between the sticks whenever fit this term, having only sat out seven fixtures throughout the 2020/21 campaign as a result of a fractured hand sustained in December.

West Ham are thought to be the keenest side considering pursuing a deal for the four-cap shot-stopper, likely as a result of his compatriot, Lukasz Fabianski, currently being set to leave the London Stadium as a free agent in the summer.

Crystal Palace, Brighton and Hove Albion, Wolverhampton Wanderers plus Aston Villa are also in the running, should they look to cause a shake-up in goal during the off-season.

Fabianski revealed in December that he had been in discussions with the Irons hierarchy over a new, long-term deal, but he is yet to put pen to paper despite entering the final three months of his current £65,000-per-week terms.

The Hammers have also been linked with potential replacements in Manchester United outcast Dean Henderson, who would command a £40m asking rice, and Sheffield United’s number one Aaron Ramsdale, who intends to remain at Bramall Lane regardless of what division the Blades are playing in next season.

Should West Ham sign Skorupski?

While Fabianski is still capable of pulling off remarkable and sometimes unbelievable saves, it would appear that West Ham are testing the waters to see if a suitable replacement can be found in the summer transfer market for the goalkeeper who turns 36 in April.

Skorupski would be a much more lowbrow signing than a Henderson, who earns £100k-p/w at Old Trafford, or Ramsdale, who is being eyed for a senior England call-up, but the Bologna favourite is one of the best-performing shot-stoppers in the Serie A this season.

The £3.5m-rated ‘keeper averages the second-most saves per game (4.06) in the Italian top-flight to Cagliari Calcio’s Alessio Cragno (4.08), along with the second-most from shots faced inside the penalty area (2.72) by players who have featured at least five times, per SofaScore.

Skorupski has also only been beaten by three of 26 shots faced from attempts taken outside of the box, while Fabianski averages 2.88 saves per Premier League game and has conceded from five of 34 shots struck outside the area.

Skorupski has also appeared to turn his reputation around in Italy, having been described as being “very arrogant” by Empoli FC President Fabrizio Corsi after a loan spell at the Carlo Castellani Stadium before sealing a €9m (£8m) move to Bologna from parent side AS Roma in 2018.

Now, the Poland ‘keeper leaves no stone unturned in his pursuit of helping I Rossoblu secure points and does not put himself above the team, as shown by his comments a few weeks ago.

“We are working on penalties, watching videos of our opponents and I waited to the end. Fortunately, I went the way he took it and saved the spot-kick,” Skorupski told Sky Sport Italia, via quotes by Football-Italia, after beating SS Lazio 2-0 in February.

“I made a couple of good saves in the second half too, but the whole team did really well and earned these three precious points.”

If Moyes is looking for a suitable Fabianski replacement and if he is keen to operate on a strict budget – ruling out moves for Henderson et al. – then he should urge West Ham to launch a swoop on Bologna for Skorupski.

AND in other news, West Ham have been dealt a huge blow with a David Moyes favourite ruled out until mid-April…

Leeds United face West Ham United this evening and Phil Hay has dropped an exciting development on long-term absentee Gaetano Berardi before the match.

What Phil Hay had to report

The Athletic journalist reported that: “Gaetano Berardi has also made the trip and this would be his first appearance in a matchday squad since damaging his ACL at Derby last season.”

Indeed, the right-back ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament last summer towards the end of the Whites’ promotion-winning campaign and has been out of action ever since.

This is great news for Berardi and Leeds

The 32-year-old Swiss international is now close to getting a glimpse of the Premier League for the first time, a fitting reward for his lengthy service at Elland Road.

Back when he was fully fit, Bielsa praised the defender, saying: “Berardi is a loyal player and he gives everything on the pitch. When you give everything on the pitch, the players can arrive late, but you have to analyse every red card. Maybe the red card today is different to another.”

It is fantastic to see the right-back travel with the Leeds squad and, while it seems unlikely that he will feature tonight after so long out of action, at least Bielsa has one player set to return amid a plethora of injury issues elsewhere in the squad.

In other news, Leeds have received a positive update in regards to a reported transfer target!

Kevin Phillips has been discussing Illan Meslier after his agent spoke quite openly on Leeds United podcast LUFCFANZONE recently.

Phillips fumes at Meslier

The goalkeeper’s agent insisted there are some “big clubs” taking an interest in the 21-year-old Whites ace. Speaking to Football Insider, Phillips retorted: “It is funny how his agent is saying things and not the player himself. I wouldn’t take a blind bit of notice. His agent is trying to stir things up.”

“If I am Bielsa I would be fuming. I would be telling Meslier to tell his agent to shut his mouth. The kid looks very happy at Leeds and it looks like Leeds are moving in the right direction. They are getting linked with top players. It is exciting times, so why would you want to leave?”

Meslier needs to talk to his agent

Meslier has been inconsistent this season, making two errors leading to goals in his first campaign in the top flight, but showing superb form at other times.

In the 26 appearances he has made in the Premier League, he has helped the club pick up 11 wins as he has made 102 saves and kept eight clean sheets (Premier League), hardly a poor start at top-flight level for such a young player.

He is only 21 years old, which is quite young for a goalkeeper, but Marcelo Bielsa clearly has complete faith in him by selecting him every week.

Phillips is quite right to be disappointed in the agent as well – the £10.8m-rated Frenchman is in a great position playing consistently in the Premier League, and so his agent should be a bit more careful with what he says next time.

In other news, Leeds have been linked with this Championship player!

Several Aston Villa supporters have been giving their thoughts to Manchester United’s interest in goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez on social media.

According to Football Insider sources, United are lining up a blockbuster offer for the Argentine this summer.

The Red Devils are reportedly looking to bring in two new goalkeepers in a major overhaul, with Martinez top of their wishlist.

Martinez’s impressive Villa form

Martinez is under contract at Villa Park until 2024 and has impressed this season, keeping 14 Premier League clean sheets – only Manchester City’s Ederson has more 2020/21 shutouts.

He’s been handed regular game time in the Premier League for the first time in his career under Dean Smith and is just 12 Villa appearances shy of going past his Arsenal tally of 37, which came across a 10-year period.

Villa fans react

The Mirror relayed Football Insider’s report and shared it on Twitter on Thursday morning.

As to be expected, the post received plenty of interaction from numerous Villa fans. This is what they had to say…

“Man United = obsessed with villas players”

Credit: @AVFC_Bailey

“Wouldn’t be stupid enough to make that move”

Credit: @TheVillaHome

“Absolute rubbish! Got Henderson on a 4 year contract who they see as a long term number one. Media just trying to sell our best players again because we’re not in the “Big 6″”

Credit: @JackJenningss_

“Fancy a laugh then read this. Absolute jokers. Looks like £250m incoming from United then this summer for Grealish Mings and Emi. Will Chuck you El Ghazi in for free”

Credit: @TheRealCaptin78

“Dream on United. First Jack, now Emi?”

Credit: @andrewstone85

“Hi @ManUtd are you obsessed with us? Xxxx”

Credit: @amyjoy11_

In other news: Many Villa fans fume as comments from one man on Jack Grealish emerge, find out more here.