Charlton Athletic moved into the playoff places with a record-equalling 6-0 victory over Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday night, also extending their unbeaten run to ten matches.
There were six different goalscorers on Tuesday night ranging from Jake Forster-Caskey’s opener to an own goal from the home side, whilst the returning Chuks Aneke extended his tally to 13 for the season late on, too.
Nigel Adkins made two changes from the weekend’s draw over fellow promotion-chasers Ipswich Town, resting recent mainstays Ryan Inniss and Darren Pratley.
In came forgotten midfielder and veteran Ben Watson, and he delivered a huge reminder that he can still cut it at this level, aged 35.
The former Nottingham Forest captain had not started a match under Adkins since the 56-year-old’s appointment last month, seemingly falling down the pecking order until this week.
He was at risk of becoming a truly forgotten option in midfield, especially given the red-hot form of Forster-Caskey and fellow goalscorer Alex Gilbey but in the midst of the Addicks romping home to victory, he excelled as the team’s anchorman.
Truth be told, Argyle offered very little threat, managing just two shots on target all game, in comparison to the visitor’s seven, but Watson was still there to clean up in midfield and proved to be a rock defensively.
The £5.5k-per-week star made a match-high six clearances, more than any of Adkins’ defenders on the night, only proving that the 35-year-old midfielder was key towards that clean sheet.
Watson also made more interceptions (three) than anyone else on the pitch, home or away, further suggesting that his ability to read the game and then snuff out the danger is still in his locker.
From 54 touches, he was able to find 88% of his 42 passing attempts, including 77.7% of his long balls finding a player in a red shirt. On top of that, he won two of his three battles, too, as per SofaScore.
Most importantly, he didn’t add to his ten bookings on the season, further showing signs of improvement.
Once described as “brilliant” and “important” by ex-Charlton boss Lee Bowyer, Watson’s experience could prove crucial if they do make the playoffs.
That display down in the southwest was certainly a huge message that he should be featuring more.
AND in other news, “Strong-willed” 18 y/o Addicks gem could save Sangaard a lot of money this summer….
When you collect Sunderland’s transfer business from the last decade into one neat pile, it doesn’t particularly paint a pretty picture.
Whether your name is Danny Graham, Jozy Altidore or Jack Rodwell, you all form part of a rather disastrous point in the football club’s history.
That being said, there is arguably none worse than a certain Will Grigg, someone who Sunderland were desperate to buy and are now desperate to get rid of.
On paper, he looked like an inspirational piece of business when he arrived in 2019. The Mackems had just lost Josh Maja to Bordeaux and they needed a proven goalscorer to fire them to promotion.
Considering Grigg had netted 26 goals the season prior to his arrival, you wouldn’t have bet against him scoring regularly at the Stadium of Light.
Even if Sunderland hadn’t paid an extortionate fee for his services, he would have been a waste of money. Stewart Donald made several bids for the former Wigan striker before the Black Cats eventually coughed up £4m on transfer deadline day.
Tony Coton sat back in his chair in despair as Donald paid considerably over the odds for a player of his ability.
The Sunderland hierarchy thought he’d deliver on the big stage and ultimately put them in the Championship. Though, they couldn’t have been more wrong.
Grigg finished the 2018/19 campaign with just four league goals. Since then, he has found the net on just four more occasions for the Mackems in what has been a torrid spell in the north-east. His Sunderland career has been so poor that even Kevin Phillips had some choice words for the Northern Irishman.
The Sunderland hero said earlier this season: “There was not one thing that I saw him do well. No real work rate and at times it was like he was hiding. But when they start back there will be no crowd there and that might help him because it looked to me as if the crowd really affected him.”
Indeed, the significant slump in his value since he signed says it all. For a player that cost Sunderland a whopping £4m, he is now worth just £1.08m according to Transfermarkt; a fall in valuation of 75%.
Grigg is now on loan at MK Dons where he is at least beginning to find the net again. Under Russell Martin, the forward has scored three times and registered three assists in six starts.
That will do little to please those at Sunderland, however. Once the summer window comes round, he should be one of the first out the door.
Unfortunately, the £6k-per-week forward will leave having cost the club more than they could arguably have afforded.
AND in other news, Forget Grigg: SAFC must unleash rarely-seen gem next term, Ross said he’s an “enigma”…
It has been a difficult first campaign for Rodrigo at Leeds, and Kevin Phillips believes that the Spaniard could depart in the summer after links to Juventus.
What Phillips had to say about Rodrigo
Speaking to Football Insider about the player, Phillips said: “If Juventus are interested in signing Rodrigo I think Leeds would be tempted. It has not worked out. He has been injury prone so they might look to get him off their books. Leeds may just park that one and go for someone else.
“He has been non-existent this season which is a shame because we never really got to see him at his best. If they can do a deal at the end of the season I am sure that they will.”
Should the club part ways with the forward?
Rodrigo was a regular for Marcelo Bielsa’s team before his injury, as he had played in no fewer than 20 matches in total over all competitions in the 2020/21 term, scoring three goals and making one assist (Transfermarkt). To be a club record signing and only score three goals this campaign will worry not only the manager, but also supporters of the club.
He has recently been linked to Juventus and this could be a tempting offer for the forward as the Serie A side are typically a Champions League outfit and he would probably love to return to that competition.
That said, some players do take a little bit of time to settle into a new division, especially one that is physically demanding like the Premier League, so we feel Phillips may be jumping the gun a little bit by throwing the towel in on Rodrigo so soon.
In other news, Phil Hay has provided a positive transfer update on a defender!
Leeds United’s Illan Meslier has shown his qualities this season, and Alex McLeish has emphasised the need for the club to keep a hold of him.
McLeish discusses Meslier
Speaking to Football Insider, McLeish said: “You don’t want to lose a big talent. He’s a talent who’s playing as an ever-present in the Premier League.
“If you’re going to lose him and he’s not rewarded with a new contract, then you’ve got to go there and buy somebody for £30-40million. We know what that does to the club’s coffers, we know that the Premier League players invite big-money offers.”
Leeds have a potential future star
Marcelo Bielsa clearly sees Meslier as his number one choice and he has had a fairly decent season, managing to make 99 saves and keep eight clean sheets (Premier League). The best way to develop a young talent is to embed them into consistent matches straight away and it this method is bearing fruit so far.
Kevin Campbell praised the Frenchman this season as he said: “Leeds’ recruitment staff have done an exceptional job getting him in. He is one for the future and for now. Only 20? Wow. Brilliant signing.”
It is quite amazing that he is playing in the division and trusted by Bielsa as he is only 21 years-old. If the £10.80m-rated star is trusted at such a young age it is scary to imagine the potential he has and the quality he will show as he gets older.
In other news, Leeds are interested in this young star!
Many Wolves fans have been left to laud a transfer update on Lucas Ocampos as Football Insider have reported that they are in the hunt to sign him.
As per the news outlet, a source from the Midlands club has claimed that the Sevilla ace is firmly on their radar, as he was watched when he was at Marseille and now at the La Liga team.
Ocampos has three years left on his current deal and a release clause of £62m, but it is likely that Sevilla would be fine with selling him at a cheaper price due to the financial implications of the pandemic, claim Football Insider.
However, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side would still likely have to sell one of their key players in the first team in order to raise the funds needed to buy him.
Nonetheless, it could be a very shrewd signing for a man who is very experienced at playing in some of the top clubs in football, with no fewer than 74 goals and a further 36 assists in 363 games in total over all competitions across the last 10 seasons (Transfermarkt).
Wolves fan reaction to Ocampos transfer update
These Wanderers lauded the transfer update on Ocampos on Twitter, with one WWFC supporter calling it ‘huge’ while another went as far as to claim that the Argentina international is a ‘fantastic’ player:
“Strike force.. Pod, Raul, Pedro, Lucas. Now we’re talking!”
Credit: @chris7mac
“Yes would be all over this, fantastic player.”
Credit: @JonnyQ88
“Now this guy is a baller. Would be some serious statement of intent if we can get him”
Credit: @cal_wolvesfc
“Would be an amazing signing”
Credit: @ReisangHuileng1
“We can only dream”
Credit: @juranceb01
“Huge if true”
Credit: @deathblossom69
In other news, find out which Premier League star Steve Bull has called for Wolves to sign here!
Manchester City will look to strengthen their place at the top of the Premier League table on Saturday afternoon, as they host bottom of the table Sheffield United at the Etihad.
Chris Wilder’s side did the Citizens a big favour in midweek when they earned a shock win at Old Trafford, but that surely will give their confidence a huge boost ahead of their trip to the Etihad, so it perhaps won’t be an easy game against the Blades.
Pep Guardiola admitted earlier this week that he was concerned about facing Sheffield United, as in all of their games against Wilder’s side since they were promoted, it has been quite tight, with City winning 1-0, 1-0 and 2-0 in their last three fixtures.
However, City will be in confident form of their own after winning 5-0 against West Brom in midweek to go top of the league, so it seems unlikely that Guardiola will make too many changes to his side.
Here’s how Football FanCast expects the Spanish manager to line his side up, with two changes from the side that started against West Brom…
Unsurprisingly, Ederson keeps his place in goal, as he continues to lead the way in terms of the golden glove this season, with 11 clean sheets to his name in the Premier League this season.
There’s one change in the City defence, as Benjamin Mendy comes in for Oleksandr Zinchenko at left-back, with the Frenchman perhaps needing to prove his worth after the Ukrainian’s impressive performances of late.
The midfield stays the same as Bernardo Silva partners the in-form Ilkay Gundogan, with Rodri providing defensive protection behind.
Finally, in attack, Gabriel Jesus, who earns £90k per week at City, starts up front, with Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling supporting him on the wings, in a move which sees Phil Foden drop to the bench, as he is rested.
The Blades will certainly not roll over at the Etihad, but these are the sort of games Guardiola’s side must win if they want to win the league this season.
And, in other news… Man City can sign their next Kyle Walker in “fearless” £18m-rated speed-demon
Thanks to two wins on the bounce, Neil Lennon lives to see another day as the manager of Celtic Football Club. The Hoops have seriously struggled this season and have looked a shadow of their usual, dominant self.
With a mammoth 13 points between them and rivals Rangers, the chances of them winning their tenth consecutive Premiership title are becoming bleak. And following their early exit from the Europa League, a lot of things are uncertain in the Celtic camp.
If – or more likely when – the Bhoys finish as runners-up this season, the only way Lennon has a chance of keeping his job is if he has a promising January transfer window.
Celtic eyeing up Bright Osayi-Samuel of QPR
Recent reports have linked the Hoops with a move for 22-year-old winger Bright Osayi-Samuel. The Nigerian is approaching his final six months under contract at Queens Park Rangers and will be available for talks in January. However, Lennon is keen to get things moving faster than this and wants to bring the attacker to Parkhead in the upcoming window.
If Celtic plan their move for Osayi-Samuel, who tallied five goals and nine assists in the Championship last season, they must act fast. The playmaker has attracted interest from a lot of clubs, including neighbours Rangers.
Lennon is walking a very dangerous tightrope as talks of his exit continue to circulate. If Celtic can win their remaining matches of the year and secure a strong transfer window, the board could back him as the man to take them forward.
Signing Osayi-Samuel wouldn’t cost the club must, as he is currently valued at £3.15million by Transfermarkt. He would also be an extremely valuable recruit, as the Hoops do not currently have a recognised senior right-winger on their books. His creativity on the right will allow midfielders to be midfielders and maximise creativity for the likes of Odsonne Edouard.
He was recently lauded by manager Mark Warburton, who believes that the attacker is “destined for the Premier League”, whether that be with QPR or another club.
In other news, Mauricio Pochettino move could benefit both him and Lawwell…
In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, former Premier League striker Dean Windass has reacted to West Brom closing in on their first signing of the January transfer window.
According to the Telegraph’s John Percy, the Baggies are poised to land veteran winger Robert Snodgrass for a minimal fee as he’s in the final six months of his current contract at West Ham.
It’s claimed that the 33-year-old, who was on loan to Albion’s rivals Aston Villa during the 2017/18 season, will have a medical in the next 48 hours before sealing a permanent move to The Hawthorns.
Sam Allardyce is also targeting a move for Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury, whilst outcast duo Charlie Austin and Kamil Grosicki have been told they can leave the club this window.
Bournemouth forward Joshua King is another name linked with a switch to West Brom this month.
Speaking to FFC, Windass lauded Big Sam’s move for the Scotsman…
He said:
“Snodgrass, people like that on the bench at West Ham, you can see those sorts of players under Big Sam. That sort of type.
“[He will bring] just a little bit of quality. I think he’s coming towards the end of his career, but I know Snoddy really well. In a sense, he’s got that quality, but I know him as a lad as well.
“He will want to play. He won’t want to sit on the bench for West Ham.”
Snodgrass has played just two minutes in the Premier League this season as he has fallen heavily out-of-favour under David Moyes.
He would arrive in the Midlands with something that Allardyce’s squad lacks in abundance – top-flight experience.
For the likes of Norwich, Hull City and of course, the Hammers, Snodgrass has racked up 163 appearances in the Premier League, where he has contributed 26 goals and 25 assists, per Transfermarkt.
It remains to be seen what the exact figure the Baggies will have to pay, but it is thought that the midfielder is on around £40k-per-week in east London so a similar wage would put him among Albion’s highest earners.
AND in other news, West Brom could find their next Odemwingie in £9.9m-rated “complete package”…
Ahead of Tottenham Hotspur’s Premier League clash with arch-rivals Chelsea this evening, Jose Mourinho has been cruelly dealt some troubling injury news…
What’s the word?
According to the Evening Standard’s Dan Kilpatrick’s update ahead of tonight’s game against Chelsea, two of Spurs’ injured players have now seemingly been ruled out for the remainder of February.
Giovani Lo Celso has been absent since pulling up with a hamstring problem in their 2-0 defeat to Leicester City on December 20th, and the reliable journalist claims ‘there is little prospect of the midfielder returning for at least three weeks.’
While Sergio Reguilon is another who is currently on the treatment table at present.
Kilpatrick has also delivered an update over his progress as he too is out with hamstring trouble, though just like the Argentine, he’s ‘set to miss most of February.’
Cruel blow
Given Spurs’ current form, this will quickly become a nightmare for Mourinho as he could really do with both players right now. Indeed, they have lost back-to-back matches and now face the Blues, who have a bit of a new manager bounce after appointing Thomas Tuchel.
Spurs have missed both players and their attacking influence substantially over the last few weeks and would have hoped to have them back as soon as possible.
Across their two defeats to Liverpool (3-1) last week and then Brighton (1-0) on Sunday, Mourinho’s side have only amassed an xG of 0.47 as per Understat.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s strike against the defending champions was a rare scorcher from long-range, so without that, they’d have failed to score in successive outings.
Lo Celso ranks third for key passes per 90 (1.88) but when you factor in those that have played at least ten league games, he sits top of the tree, so clearly, Spurs have lacked his presence in attacking midfield as he’s been the man providing those valuable chances to Kane and co.
Similarly, only Kane (11) and Heung-min Son (six) have delivered more assists for Spurs than Reguilon (three) in the Premier League this term, as per WhoScored.
No left-sided full-back is managing as many as his 0.7 successful crosses per 90 either. And that’s a problem as they attack most down this flank (37%).
It’s no wonder that Spurs have struggled to score in the absence of the duo, so to be without them throughout the rest of the month with games against Everton in the FA Cup, league leaders Man City and for the return of the Europa League knockout stages, is potentially one cruel blow to their chances of stopping the rot anytime soon.
Even when Kane hopefully returns next week, he’s going to struggle to score goals himself if Spurs aren’t creating chances, so having Lo Celso and Reguilon sidelined for such a long time is certainly going to keep Mourinho up at night.
AND in other news, Mourinho must unleash “exciting” £26m-rated beast tonight, he could be Spurs’ game-changer…
Chelsea are not the juggernaut they once were but there are hopes that former glory can be restored under Enzo Maresca, who is ready to take on the Premier League at Stamford Bridge.
Admittedly, pre-season preparations have encountered snags and setbacks in the form of high-scoring losses against Manchester City and Celtic and previously a 2-2 draw against Wrexham to kickstart their United States tour.
The Blues were never going to adopt the possession-centric style without raising some questions but defensive fragility and a perceived lack of organisation across the past several weeks will not have been welcomed as simply part and parcel of pre-season.
03/08/2024
vs Man City
4-2 loss
01/08/2024
vs Club America
3-0 win
27/08/2024
vs Celtic
4-1 loss
25/08/2024
vs Wrexham
2-2 draw
No, Chelsea must of course trust the process, but that tactical undertaking needs to enter third or fourth gear within the coming fortnight, and some added impetus in attack might go down a treat.
Chelsea transfer news
As per Football Insider, Chelsea have learned that Manchester City's Julian Alvarez will be available for £70m this summer, amid ongoing chatter around the versatile forward's future.
Alvarez, 24, is struggling with his at-times utility role at the club and would seemingly jump at the chance to move, so it now remains to be seen whether Chelsea can negotiate a deal.
The west Londoners have a healthy mix of attacking options but could benefit from a player of Alvarez's talent and winning pedigree, perhaps swaying the odds in the bid to return to the Champions League and hunt down silverware.
Why Chelsea want Julian Alvarez
With Arsenal also sniffing around, Todd Boehly and Co know that swift action could hold sway, lest the Gunners get their own back concerning a recent transfer history of hijacked deals.
Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez
On January deadline day, 2022, Alvarez signed for City from River Plate in Argentina for a fee in the region of £14m, proving to be a shrewd signing indeed for a player who is now among the finest in the Premier League.
Across 103 matches under Pep Guardiola's management, the dynamo has posted 36 goals and 18 assists, with his performances earning him praise for his unwavering consistency – pundit Owen Hargreaves has even said that he's "never seen him have a bad game."
Oh, of course, the accolades have come in hordes, but Alvarez has reached a point in his career where he wants his giddy quality to match the standing in the squad. Despite playing regularly and completing the set under his Spanish boss, the £100k-per-week star yearns for a role of greater significance.
His two campaigns in Greater Manchester have acted as an illustrious teething period of sorts, but now is the time for Alvarez to be handed a platform at the top of the squad's pyramid, Chelsea can offer that platform.
Carney Chukwuemeka in action for Chelsea in the Premier League.
His dynamism and electrifying qualities on the ball could even see him perform as Maresca's very own version of Kai Havertz, who plays for the Blues no more.
Maresca's own Kai Havertz
Havertz has divided opinion since arriving in England, signing for Chelsea in a £76m transfer from Bayer Leverkusen four years ago, scoring the Blues' winning goal to win the Champions League but finishing his stay at Stamford Bridge with only 32 strikes across 139 matches.
Former Chelsea attacker Kai Havertz.
Making the cross-London switch to Arsenal last summer, the German has gone from strength to strength and has formed into a coherent and effective threat under Mikel Arteta, scoring nine goals and supplying six assists over the final 14 matches of the top-flight term.
The 25-year-old's tactical fluidity has seen him operate across myriad positions, with the Gunners deploying him as a thrusting type of midfielder earlier in the campaign before returning him to the top of the pitch, where he found his Midas touch.
With Alvarez, Chelsea could emulate this impact, for the Man City sensation has also played up and down the pitch in England and has the potency in attack to make a marked improvement on the side's offensive fluency.
And if he knows one thing, it's how to make an impact. Over the past year, as per FBref, Alvarez ranks among the top 6% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues for goals scored and the top 15% for assists per 90.
Matches (starts)
36 (31)
37 (30)
Goals
11
13
Assists
9
7
Shots taken*
2.7
1.9
Big chances missed
10
13
Touches*
45.3
37.1
Pass completion
88%
81%
Big chances created
7
8
Key passes*
1.9
1.2
Ball recoveries*
2.7
3.3
Dribbles completed*
0.6
0.4
The Argentine World Cup winner also offers skills similar to Havertz's while proving to be more technically crisp and creative – a product of his learning under Guardiola and something that could see him thrive in the new Chelsea system.
Alvarez would want to nail down a regular role at Chelsea, as is his desire as he considers leaving the world's most imperious outfit, but he could find that under Maresca.
Former Leicester manager Enzo Maresca.
With Conor Gallagher in the process of being sold to Atletico Madrid, Alvarez could adopt the advanced position behind the centre-forward – almost a Havertz-like false 9 of sorts – bolstered by the deep-lying orchestrating of Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo's tough tackling.
Guardiola has actually said that he's "almost undroppable" in the past – which is rather lofty praise from a man known for constant tinkering and tweaking.
Whether Chelsea wish to part with a hefty sum to bring Alvarez in remains to be seen, but he could be the perfect figure to perform at the summit of the midfield triangle and ensure that the club rise to the fore at the start of a new, exciting era.
28 goals last season: Chelsea could look at terrifying Osimhen alternative
Chelsea look to strengthen forward options with Osimhen alternative