West Ham take on Gent in the second leg of their tense Europa Conference league quarter-final, just four days after their brilliant comeback against title-chasing Arsenal at the London Stadium.
When the Hammers conceded two goals in the opening ten minutes against the Gunners, it seemed the occasion could have been a brutal repeat of the embarrassing 5-1 defeat they suffered to Newcastle in their previous Premier League home game.
If David Moyes wants to ensure progression into a European semi-final for a consecutive season, then he must avoid the temptation to rest Said Benrahma, who has been one of the Irons’ shining lights in a troublesome and uneasy campaign.
Why should Benrahma start vs Gent?
Alongside Jarrod Bowen, the 27-year-old has registered the joint-most Premier League goals (5) and assists (3) this season for the Hammers to establish himself as one of Moyes’ most important and trusted figures within this struggling team.
West Ham United's Said Benrahma in action with Arsenal's Thomas Partey
His significance was stirringly conveyed for his role in the recent London derby against Arsenal. The former Brentford man recorded the highest rating of any West Ham player (7.7) in that showdown and netted the first goal to halve the deficit and kickstart a rousing second-half renaissance.
The £55k-per-week man also contributed two key passes, created one big chance, won five ground duels, and completed 75% of his passes, as per Sofascore.
It was an effervescent, busy, and tricky display from the forward, who nearly produced the match-winning assist when he out-muscled Rob Holding and delivered a measured cross to Michail Antonio, whose header agonisingly clipped the bar.
Chelsea legend Joe Cole has previously lauded the winger for his attacking verve and dazzling skill, and he told BT Sport (via Read West Ham) that Benrahma can be "unplayable."
Furthermore, the £19m-rated man has created the most chances in the West Ham squad in all competitions (51) this season at a rate of 1.31 per 90, as per BBC Sport.
In the first leg against Gent, Benrahma began proceedings on the bench, and the East London outfit was completely dominated and failed to create many opportunities. The Belgian side had 54% possession and 20 shots, in comparison to West Ham’s four.
Benrahma was eventually introduced on the hour mark for Manuel Lanzini, but Moyes cannot afford to follow a similar trend in this game. His side will need to stamp their authority and set the agenda with the latter arguably in need of being dropped this time around.
To unleash Benrahma is a necessity, who could be the match-winning catalyst.
Leeds United are reportedly interested in signing Italy sensation Mateo Retegui this summer and his potential arrival at Elland Road could see Patrick Bamford finally leave.
Could Leeds sign Mateo Retegui?
According to Italian news outlet Area Napoli, Leeds are one of the sides showing an interest in the 23-year-old ahead of the summer transfer window but could face competition from both Milan clubs and Eintracht Frankfurt for his signature.
The Argentine-born striker, who qualifies for Italy through his maternal grandfather, has enjoyed an impressive campaign at club level, contributing seven goals in just nine league appearances for Tigre, having joined them on loan from Boca Juniors for the season.
This has led to him earning a strong 7.11 rating from WhoScored for his performances in Argentina's top flight, while he has a 7.07 rating in the European Championship after scoring in both of Italy's games in the recent international break, including once in the 2-1 defeat against England.
The forward also spent the 2022 season on loan with Tigre, crashing in 23 goals in 42 appearances in all competitions, so it is easy to see why he earned the call-up to Roberto Mancini's side recently, which has clearly attracted the interest of clubs across Europe.
2006 World Cup-winning manager Marcelo Lippi was full of praise for the Boca Juniors star on Super Deportivo Radio after his performances during the international break, outlining attributes that should come as music to the ears of everyone associated with Leeds.
He said (via FC Inter News): "He’s the classic centre-forward who scores. He has a strong header. I like how he plays in the box, that’s why I think he’s a good striker.”
It does seem that Retegui's future lies away from Argentina and if Leeds do sign him this summer, it would surely see one of the strikers at Elland Road leave, with Bamford a prime candidate given he has just two goals in the Premier League so far this term.
How has Bamford played this season?
This campaign has been an extremely underwhelming one for Bamford, with the former Chelsea man once again failing to live up to the performances he showed under Marcelo Bielsa in the top-flight, when he managed 17 goals.
Not only has the 29-year-old only bagged twice in 2022/23, but he has massively underperformed his xG by nearly five, and that could be the difference between safety and relegation in what is an extremely tight battle to avoid the drop.
Patrick Bamford features in Leeds United's Premier League draw against Brighton & Hove Albion at Elland Road.
Considering Bamford is ranked as the 22nd-best performer in Javi Gracia's squad with a 6.34 average rating according to WhoScored, it seems clear that he cannot be considered a reliable long-term option at Elland Road.
Retegui has also averaged more shots (3.9 vs 1.7), key passes (0.6 vs 0.5) and dribbles (0.4 vs 0.2) per game than Bamford, outlining him as a better all-rounder in attack.
As such, it is evident that the Italy star could be a big upgrade on the struggling Leeds star this summer.
Injury expert Ben Dinnery has warned of "red flags" over Leeds United winger Wilfried Gnonto amid concerns of a bad ankle injury.
What's the latest Wilfried Gnonto injury news at Leeds?
The young attacker had actually started the Euro 2024 qualifying match against Malta for Italy on the weekend but lasted just 22 minutes.
Indeed, he limped off early and after the game, his national team manager Roberto Mancini seemed cautious about the situation saying (via LeedsLive): “Gnonto is dealing with a sprain, I hope it is nothing to worry about.”
The Athletic has since reported that the teenager is now a doubt for the upcoming Premier League game against Arsenal on Saturday.
What's more, while speaking on FPL Injuries, Dinnery suggested that the uncertainty could suggest a "big red flag" about his current and long-term fitness.
He said: "Wilfried Gnonto, he was replaced early doors for Italy last time out.
"Now, Roberto Mancini post-match said it was a sprain in the ankle – again, the severity of which was yet to be determined. So there's certainly a big red flag over his availability for the next game for Leeds."
When will Gnonto be back from injury?
That report from The Athletic explains that Leeds are optimistic that Gnonto – as well as Max Wober, who also picked up an injury while on international duty – won't be sidelined for too long.
However, while we await a final prognosis, fans will have to wait on nervously. After all, the £20,000-a-week star has proven himself to be a pretty important member of the team despite his young age.
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Indeed, still only 19, the Italian has scored two goals and provided three assists in 16 Premier League outings this term. What's more, as per WhoScored, he delivers 1.1 key passes per game (the third-highest in the team) and wins the most fouls per match (1.9), while he is joint-third when it comes to dribbles (one per game).
Evidently, he can be quite a handful for opposition players and he has picked up plenty of praise in the media during his debut campaign with the Whites.
Indeed, back in January, Gary Neville gushed over the player's quality, telling Sky Sports (via Daily Mail): "To see someone so mature, so young is very unusual in that position.
"Sometimes you see potential and talent, but watching him so closely, his understanding of where to be, his choice of pass, when to run with it, his awareness of teammates, really good, honestly."
Aston Villa are thought to be plotting a move for Southampton defender Mohammed Salisu this summer, according to Football Insider.
The Lowdown: Expecting a busy summer
NSWE were willing to hand Unai Emery a ‘huge’ January transfer budget after he took over from Steven Gerrard last year, however, the Spaniard only brought in two players in Alex Moreno and Jhon Duran.
He has improved the current squad, taking them comfortably away from the danger zone after picking up 26 points from his opening 14 Premier League games in charge.
It seems as if there could be plenty of incomings and outgoings in the summer following a relatively quiet window, with chief executive Christian Purslow “expecting an extremely busy summer”.
Ashley Preece has previously said that ‘a new No.9 to partner Ollie Watkins is at the top of Villa’s shopping list this summer’, while also adding that ‘the defence will be strengthened’. It seems as if Emery and co may have identified their defensive target in Salisu.
The Latest: Villa keen
Football Insider shared a transfer update in the last 24 hours regarding Salisu and Villa. They revealed that those at Villa Park are plotting to sign the Southampton defender over the coming months, with Salisu possibly available for £25m.
Premier League rivals Leicester City and Manchester United are also thought to be keen on the 23-year-old, with the report adding that the Saints are bracing themselves for interest.
The Verdict: Shrewd signing?
Salisu arrived at Southampton back in 2020 and has gone on to make 80 appearances for the club, 28 of which have come during the current campaign.
The Ghana international has been a solid performer in what has been a struggling Saints side. Salisu is currently Southampton’s joint second-best performer behind James Ward-Prowse, as per WhoScored, averaging a better match rating than any Villa defender.
He has been hailed as a ‘nasty’ defender in his duels by his old Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl, something which is proven with Salisu making more tackles per 90 than any of his teammates. The centre-back has also averaged a whopping 5.4 clearances per game, more than the likes of Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa.
The Saints man appears to be at the top of his game in England with a career-high €18m Transfermarkt valuation, so if he is unable to help keep his current employers in the top flight, a move to the Midlands could be one to keep an eye on.
Journalist Charles Watts has claimed that Rob Holding is a "really influential figure" behind the scenes at Arsenal despite only being a squad player.
What's the latest on Rob Holding and Arsenal?
Up to this point in the campaign, the centre-back hasn't exactly been key for the Gunners on the pitch. Indeed, he has started just once in the Premier League all season.
Incidentally, that came in the club's most recent game – Sunday's 4-1 win over Crystal Palace. Holding started that match because William Saliba picked up a back injury midweek and looks set for a spell on the sidelines.
Fortunately, the Englishman performed pretty well and earned the praise of the Arsenal support with fans on Twitter making their feelings known after the game.
Despite this being a rare appearance for the backup defender, while talking on his YouTube channel, Watts explained just how important Holding is to the team behind the scenes at London Colney.
He explained "Clearly, people who were there [at the Emirates] said he played well.
"And he's no Saliba, there's no doubt about it, but as a squad player, I think he's a very valuable, and really, really influential figure behind the scenes. Everyone loves him at Arsenal.”
Arsenal's Rob Holding during the warm up before the match
Will Rob Holding help Arsenal in the title race?
Speaking after the game, teammate Saka exemplified some of what Watts has been talking about. Indeed, he said (via football.london): "I gave him [Holding] a big hug when he came into the changing room because he deserves it.
"He was magnificent. We need that, you know, when he’s coming in to stay at the level that we’ve been playing. He was unbelievable today, so credit to him.”
As per stats given on Sofascore, Holding managed to win four ground duels, seven aerial duels, completed 91 per cent of his passes, and also completed five out of five long balls. With that in mind, it's not hard to see why Saka was so happy to lavish the centre-back with praise on this occasion.
Of course, though, for the most part, the defender hasn't been able to prove his quality on the pitch as he's had to patiently show his value within the dressing room and on the training field.
Now 27, Holding is one of the club's older and more experienced players – having been at Arsenal since 2016 – and while he might not have the potential of someone like 21-year-old Saliba, it seems as though his importance to the team should not be forgotten.
Tottenham Hotspur could potentially look to make Thomas Tuchel their successor for Antonio Conte with the Italian expected to be handed his marching orders.
When could Conte be sacked?
There was an expectation that the Italian manager would cut his ties with the north London club at the end of the season when his contract runs out.
However, reports over the last 24 hours have suggested he may not make it until then to make the decision for himself with Daniel Levy set to sack him.
A number of managers are believed to have been shortlisted by Fabio Paratici ahead of Conte's potential departure and one of them is the former Chelsea manager, Tuchel.
Speaking on the House of Champions YouTube channel, journalist Fabrizio Romano has admitted the German manager is one to keep an eye on over the coming weeks:
"I would keep an eye also on the final name, and it's Thomas Tuchel, because Tuchel wants to return, too. Tuchel can't wait to be back as soon as possible in football.
"And so at the moment, there are no contacts, but the relationship between his agent and Tottenham is excellent."
Should Spurs hire Tuchel?
Tuchel has certainly enjoyed success at Chelsea having won the London club the Champions League back in 2020 along with a handful of cups from his time at Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain.
And in terms of Tottenham's current set-up, the 49-year-old could be viewed as someone who could slot straight into the club having played with a similar formation during his time at Chelsea.
So in that sense, Tuchel could potentially offer Levy an instant replacement for Conte and provide the Spurs players with a fresh voice whilst not making huge changes with 10 games remaining.
Thomas Tuchel on the sideline as Chelsea faced Southampton at St Mary's in the Premier League.
However, there have been suggestions that Tuchel may feel there are better jobs potentially set to come available for him over the coming months.
And that could well be seen as Tuchel holding a similar perspective as Conte in that he may be settling for Spurs.
That is something which Spurs fans will surely not want with their next manager needing to be fully committed to the cause with a project seemingly on their hands.
A big task is seemingly on the hands of the next Spurs manager and it will be interesting to see – if Conte is sacked – if someone is keen to take the reins for the remaining 10 games other than Ryan Mason.
A number of Manchester United fans online have slammed Casemiro after he picked up a straight red card for a reckless challenge in his most recent appearance.
Why was Casemiro sent off against Southampton?
In their latest Premier League outing, the Red Devils failed to win in front of their own supporters as they were held to a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford against Southampton.
Erik ten Hag and co understandably came into the match as favourites, with the Saints stuck at the very bottom of the table but one poor decision from United’s central midfielder made things an awful lot more complicated on the day.
Indeed, with just 34 minutes played, Casemiro lunged in on Carlos Alcaraz and while referee Anthony Taylor initially just booked the 31-year-old, it was upgraded to a red following a VAR check.
This isn’t the Brazilian’s first straight red card of the season either. After all, he was given his marching orders in February against Crystal Palace in another ill-judged moment at Old Trafford.
As a result, he now faces a four-match suspension which could see him miss the FA Cup quarter-final at home to Fulham on top of three league games against Newcastle United, Brentford and Everton.
It seems as though the midfielder’s poor discipline has left some Man Utd fans at their wits’ end. Here are some of the best reactions online…
Chelsea ‘have not given up hope’ of signing Borussia Dortmund superstar Jude Bellingham this summer, according to journalist Jacob Steinberg.
The Lowdown: Bellingham a wanted man
The 19-year-old is one of world football’s most talked-about players currently, ahead of what is likely to be a ferocious auction for his signature this summer.
Bellingham is expected to leave Dortmund at the end of the season and Chelsea are one of several Premier League clubs who have been linked with signing him.
It is a saga that is continually being discussed and despite rumours of Liverpool edging closer it appears the Blues are far from out of the picture, following a new update.
The Latest: Chelsea still hopeful
According to The Guardian‘s Steinberg, Chelsea still believe they are in the mix to sign Bellingham during the summer window:
“Chelsea have not given up hope of landing the England international.”
The Verdict: Feels fairly unlikely
While this is encouraging in some ways, Chelsea do arguably feel like one of the outsiders to sign Bellingham, with Liverpool possibly the standout English club in the race.
Whoever acquires the 22-cap England international will certainly be getting a special talent, with even Roy Keane tipping him to be a ‘superstar’ in the game.
Granted, Bellingham didn’t affect the game too much on Tuesday, as Chelsea beat Dortmund 2-0 in the Champions League, but he could be sensational alongside Enzo Fernandez, in what would be an exciting new-look Blues midfield.
He has ten goals to his name this season, as well as one at the 2022 World Cup, while an average of 3.2 tackles per game in Qatar also outlines his defensive expertise.
Since their newly discovered riches came to the fore, it’s become far easier to rank Newcastle United’s best players. The Magpies have already undergone an impressive transition, going from the relegation battle to a battle for European football and a Carabao Cup final.
Signings such as Bruno Guimarães proved to be an instant hit at St James’ Park, which always seemed likely to be the case as soon as Arsenal failed in their pursuit of the Brazilian midfielder. Meanwhile, the likes of Joelinton became reborn in one of the most unexpected transitions in Premier League history, with the struggling striker suddenly becoming an effective box-to-box midfielder.
With that said, we’ve had a go at ranking Newcastle United’s current best players.
10) Nick Pope
Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope celebrating.
One of Newcastle’s best signings since the takeover, Pope has been integral to the way Newcastle have been able to rise up the league table.
It was telling that they were beaten by Manchester United in the Carabao Cup final after Pope was suspended, with Loris Karius forced to deputise.
Still, the England international has kept plenty of clean sheets this season and has been absolutely vital to the way Eddie Howe wants to play.
A superb piece of business.
9) Joe Willock
Joe Willock may not have been able to repeat the stunning goal scoring form of his original loan spell, but he still impressed at times last season, handing him a place in this list.
Of course, the former Arsenal man will be hoping for more consistency, but 29 Premier League appearances in the last campaign proves that Howe trusts him.
Indeed, he has stayed in the side even with Newcastle’s investment, making over 20 league appearances already.
8) Dan Burn
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The first of three January signings on this list, Dan Burn has proven to be a superb addition to the Newcastle side.
He has played a large part in their transition away from the relegation zone last season, making 16 appearances in all competitions.
The big defender may not have been the poster boy that some had dreamed of, but he was certainly the one that was needed at St James’ Park in January.
This season, he has even thrived at left wing-back.
7) Fabian Schär
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Often overlooked, Fabian Schär adds calm to what was occasionally a storm within Newcastle’s backline last season.
And even as the Magpies keep on progressing, the defender should remain a mainstay.
He will be well aware of how important it is to remain consistent, as competition for places increases more and more.
This season, he has remained one of the first names on the team sheet.
6) Alexander Isak
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Isak was snapped up as the poster boy of the newly-minted Newcastle.
The club spent well over £50m to sign the Sweden international and he already looks to be the real deal.
Isak has scored three goals in seven games in the Premier League at the time of writing and we expect him to keep scoring goals.
Howe has a potential diamond on his hands; Isak is still only 23.
5) Joelinton
If you told Premier League fans that Joelinton – the striker who looked destined to enter the flop pile – would become one of the most effective box-to-box midfielders in the country, then jaws would have dropped.
But here we are; here Joelinton is, and here Eddie Howe is, having implemented his masterpiece to perfection.
The Brazilian is now a fixture on the team-sheet, bringing his pace and power to bear in midfield duels.
It’s been an incredible tactical switch.
4) Callum Wilson
Under Howe, Callum Wilson was always going to perform, even throughout a period of frustration stemming from injury.
The Englishman netted eight goals in 18 appearances last season, and has continued to score at a consistent rate, even with the signing of Isak.
This season, Wilson has seven league goals to his name already.
When fully fit, Wilson is a handful for most defenders.
3) Kieran Trippier
As the first signing in Newcastle’s new era, Kieran Trippier had to perform.
And, in fairness to the fullback, he did exactly that, before an injury brought his season to an abrupt end.
Back fit come August, the former Atletico Madrid man has played a crucial part in the Magpies’ lofty ambitions.
A shrewd signing, and one that has set the tone.
2) Bruno Guimarães
The Bruno Guimarães transfer perfectly sums up the difference between Newcastle a year ago vs now.
The attraction to the Magpies is sky-high nowadays, whether that be for money, or what that money could bring.
And Guimarães is a big part of that. At 24, the midfielder is entering his prime, too, and will play an increasingly important role at St James’ Park.
This season, he’s been vital to the way they’ve played, emerging as one of the best midfielders in the country.
1) Allan Saint-Maximin
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As tricky as ever, Allan Saint-Maximin remains, in our opinion, Newcastle United’s best player.
As he continues to enjoy extra quality around him, too, the Frenchman will only continue to thrive more and more.
And, with that improvement, we could see his end product sky-rocket in the coming Premier League season.
Thus far, he’s not actually been used as much by Eddie Howe, but he remains an unbelievable footballer, with one goal and three league assists to his name.
So, there you have it, our current top 10 Newcastle players. Of course, that could dramatically change in a year or so, given how much is likely to change when it comes to personnel at St James’ Park across the next two transfer windows.
Celtic could face a new challenge in the summer as they are expected to receive interest from the Premier League in their centre-back Cameron Carter-Vickers.
Could Carter-Vickers leave Celtic?
The American has now been playing his football at Parkhead for almost two years now having initially joined the club on loan back in 2021.
His move was made permanent over the summer in a deal believed to be worth in the region of £6m from Tottenham Hotspur.
However, it seems as if a return to England could potentially be on the cards over the coming months with a strong interest coming from the Premier League.
Indeed, speaking on the House of Champions YouTube channel, reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano has put Carter-Vickers’ future in doubt ahead of the summer:
(14:00) “I think it’s going to be an important summer because I’m told some Premier League clubs are already exploring this possibility. Of course, he knows Premier League football so it could be a possibility in the summer but Celtic will try their best to keep their players.”
How long does Carter-Vickers have left on his contract?
Since arriving at Parkhead, Carter-Vickers has gone on to solidify his spot in the side under Ange Postecoglou and has recorded 76 appearances across all competitions (via Transfermarkt).
And Celtic fans will be thankful to hear the club were able to tie him down to a four-year deal when they permanently signed him last summer.
Therefore, going into the next transfer window, Carter-Vickers will still have three years remaining on his contract at Parkhead.
This will leave the Bhoys in a strong position ahead of the summer should any sides show an interest in the centre-back who was only bought in the summer of 2022.
Reports have suggested the move from Spurs could potentially cost Celtic up to £10m in total as a result of add-ons in the American’s contract.
Whether an exit in the summer would see those clauses fall short having only played one season as a permanent player or not is another question.
But with three years left on his deal, it likely will allow Celtic to negotiate a considerable fee for the player if they are open to the notion of allowing him to leave.
Carter-Vickers has played a huge role in the club’s success under Postecoglou, however, if the Premier League is to come calling, it may be an opportunity which Carter-Vickers feels is too good to turn down.
Having said that, he hasn’t exactly had the best of spells in the numerous clubs across England having spent his time out on a number of loans across the EFL.
So having found his feet in Scotland, Celtic fans will surely be hoping he is looking to continue his football at Parkhead. d