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Wolves fans have hit out at Pedro Neto for a perceived poor display against Manchester United.The 19-year-old played on the left flank for the third-round tie in the FA Cup as Nuno Espirito Santo’s men attempted to secure safe passage to the next phase of the tournament.

They were unable to breach the United defence, however, and were forced to settle for a 0-0 draw. They will face Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men again at Old Trafford in a replay.

Wolves had just two shots on target in the game – United didn’t have any – and fans were quick to criticise Neto for his display.

However, the statistics prove them wrong.

Per WhoScored, the 19-year-old had 67 touches of the ball, the second-highest of any Wolves player on the pitch, and registered three key passes.

His passing accuracy of 94% was second only to Joao Moutinho and Juan Mata, who both hit 100%.

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Not only that, but Neto also completed four dribbles – only Adama Traore completed more – while he also had a 75% accuracy rate from his eight corners.

This was a fine display from the youngster and the fans ought to think twice before piling into him.

He remains young, time is on his side, and he enjoyed a solid showing against tough opposition.

These supporters, by all accounts, are being rather too harsh.

Meanwhile, Wolves need to buy a player in one specific position in January.Â

Tottenham Hotspur boss Jose Mourinho wants the club to sign a midfielder in the January transfer window, per The Daily Star.

What’s the word?

Spurs have been rocked by news of an injury to Moussa Sissoko, the France international who has played in every Premier League game this season bar one; he was absent from the 2-2 draw with Norwich City due to suspension.

The big fat Tottenham quiz of 2019 – how much do you remember about the last year at Spurs?

His injury – he has sustained ligament damage to his knee and will be out until April – has reportedly led to Mourinho informing the club of the need to buy a midfielder in the January transfer window.

He is said to hold doubts over the abilities of two summer signings, Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso.

Levy’s first real test

This is the first transfer window that Mourinho has overseen as Spurs boss and it has come at an opportune time.

The gaps in the squad are clear for many to see and Sissoko’s injury has only enhanced the need for reinforcements to come into the squad.

Spurs, though, rarely make moves in the January transfer window; their last acquisition in the winter market was Lucas Moura in 2018. Prior to that, they signed Dele Alli from MK Dons in 2015 but immediately loaned him back to the lower-league club.

However, there is not really any room for excuses at this point. Spurs can ill-afford to be without options in midfield and, with Harry Kane also injured, they also require a striker.

A window of inactivity would only harm the dynamic within the squad and the chances of building towards a common goal under Mourinho.

The chairman has to step up.

Meanwhile, Spurs are tracking a striker who has been in electric form. 

Wolves star Adama Traore is a really hot prospect in the transfer market right now.

The flying winger has been linked with Liverpool, Manchester City and Barcelona, per a recent report from 90min.

And given his blistering start to the 2019/20 Premier League campaign, this piece of news doesn’t really come as a surprise.

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The former La Masia student has risen to prominence as of late and looks set to become one of the most uniquely menacing players on the continent in the not too distant future.

But what exactly do Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp see in the 23-year-old winger and what’s so special about him?

To answer those questions, we sought out the opinions of those who know him best…

Micky Gray, former Sunderland player

Gray has seemingly been following Traore’s development and he spoke about the player in length on talkSPORT’s Drivetime.

He heaped praise on the 23-year-old, stating that he would take him over Wilfried Zaha if he was given the option to choose.

Here’s what he said in full, as quoted by talkSPORT:

“When Jurgen Klopp says before Liverpool’s game against Wolves, ‘we’ve got to look out for a player like Adama Traore because he’s a top class player and he’s a threat’, that says everything to me.

“He’s been around, and we knew he had the pace and the quality, but it was his final distribution [that needed work]. And with what we’ve seen from him in this first half of the season, he’s been outstanding.

“But if I was buying a wide player now, and it was between him and Wilfried Zaha, I’d take Traore every day of the week!”

Pep Guardiola, current Manchester City manager

Guardiola experienced Traore’s raw power for the second time this season when Wolves did the impossible and toppled the reigning Premier League Champions by overturning a 2-0 deficit over Christmas.

The 23-year-old winger was vital for their success, netting a goal and an assist in the process, adding to the brace he scored at the Etihad Stadium earlier this season.

Speaking on the player in question, Guardiola was naturally full of praise, comparing Traore’s pace to a motorcycle, as quoted by The Sun:

“He is a motorcycle!

“It’s almost impossible. Nobody can handle this pace.”

Jurgen Klopp, current Liverpool manager

The German manager himself already thinks the world of his reported target.

Speaking ahead of Wolves’ visit to Anfield at the end of the year, Klopp singled Traore out, praising his talent and claiming he’s more dangerous than Jamie Vardy.

Here’s what he said, as quoted by FourFourTwo:

“At Middlesbrough he was exceptional, but somebody had to give him the right information.

“(He is) A big, big talent. You would never have thought he is that young, but he is still very young, and now he has found it (the right manager). It was always clear it would happen one day, and now it has. Good for Wolves!

“He is really dangerous. In a big space (Leicester striker) Jamie Vardy is difficult to defend, but I would say Traore is even more difficult to defend because his speed is exceptional.”

Verdict

Traore has already received rave reviews from both coaches and pundits in world football.

If Liverpool really do end up scooping his signature it’s unlikely they would regret it.

The January transfer window is almost halfway done, and while Leeds United haven’t brought anyone in yet, that doesn’t mean that they haven’t already done a lot of good work this month.

Incomings are more glamorous, but outgoings are just as important, and the Whites have done a great job of shifting their deadwood this month.

However, their most important departure still hasn’t happened, and if Victor Orta’s work this month is to be considered a success, then he will have to find a new club for Eunan O’Kane.

Phil Hay named three players who Leeds would be looking to get rid of at the start of this month, and two of them have already gone.

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Pawel Cibicki has joined Polish outfit Pogon Szczecin, while Lewie Coyle has departed for Fleetwood Town permanently.

However, O’Kane remains a Leeds player, and he is the one that Leeds need to shift above anyone else.

Getting rid of Coyle and Cibicki will help Leeds’ financial position, and it’s the perfect time for it considering the Whites’ current FFP situation and the transfer window being open, but the Yorkshire outfit would receive a massive boost if O’Kane were to go.

Coyle and Cibicki didn’t earn all that much at Leeds as Capology state that they were Leeds’ 35th and 38th highest earners last term.

In contrast, they claim that O’Kane is Leeds’ seventh-highest earner this season. Although that isn’t taking into account the new contracts for Kalvin Phillips, Liam Cooper, Stuart Dallas and Luke Ayling the point still stands that O’Kane is earning a wage befitting of a first-teamer despite being a reserve.

Getting the Irishman off the books is undoubtedly the Whites’ most important move this month in terms of departures, and Orta will deserve a lot of credit if he can move him on, especially given his current wage of £8k per week.

In other news, one Leeds man’s comments show that the Whites could do with an attitude adjustment.

Leeds have had an interesting transfer window but for a long while it looked as though Leeds wouldn’t conclude the necessary deals.

Losing Eddie Nketiah and Jack Clarke early on meant there was a lot of pressure on director of football Victor Orta to find adequate replacements, and he took his time in doing so.

That led frustration to be directed at Orta, but he may have redeemed himself by bringing in two young players who could offer a great deal to the team, Ian Poveda and Jean-Kevin Augustin.

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Marcelo Bielsa certainly seems happy with the acquisitions and that reveals a lot about their abilities, with fans sharing the Argentine’s view that they should improve the current squad.

The one factor that creates doubt about both players is their relative inexperience at senior level, particularly in the Championship, while striker Augustin has just one goal to his name this season.

It may be of surprise to some that Leeds haven’t increased the number of players they had in the squad prior to January, too, and considering they have only replaced those who have left it can be argued that they have not improved the squad, particularly not the strength in depth.

Some supporters are worried that the club hasn’t done enough in the transfer market to enhance their promotion chances, and the Whites may need Augustin and Poveda to hit the ground running if they are to get back to winning ways.

There is also concern that the club has been stringent in spending money, with Poveda arriving on a free and Augustin on loan, though their view is a little misguided as transfer fees should not determine whether a player is a good signing or not.

Call yourself a Leeds expert? How much did each of these January signings cost?

In other news, transfer rumours continue to circulate and it has been suggested that Leeds could look to get more deals done this week.

Jeremy Ngakia came in for his West Ham United debut during the 2-0 loss against Liverpool, which is hardly the easiest of games for a player’s first senior start.Replacing Pablo Zabaleta, he had a shaky start, struggling with his first clearances and taking a few unsure touches, but the 19-year-old grew into the game once he had settled down, taking on Andrew Robertson and playing some nice passes.

This has been enough to earn praise for West Ham insider ExWHUemployee.

There are plenty of fans who agree with him, as one suggested he was “one of our best players”.

In total, he completed two dribbles, won two aerial duels and won both of the tackles that he attempted throughout the 90 minutes – indicating that the teenager was able to hold his own.

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Coming up with a performance such as that, in which he didn’t look like a weak link, has earned him respect and praise from the Hammers faithful.

There have even been comparisons made with Pablo Zabaleta and Ryan Fredericks, as some fans have gone on to claim that the academy graduate did a better job than the senior figures would have.

One claimed that “Zaba would have been ripped apart”, coming directly up against Divock Origi and Robertson.

While Ngakia’s performance wasn’t enough to get any points for West Ham, it seems as though he has done enough to get himself into the fans’ good books.

Meanwhile, West Ham are reportedly in advanced talks to sign a Frenchman.

Celtic have now officially confirmed the departure of Lewis Morgan, who has signed for the MLS outfit Inter Miami.

The 23-year-old forward joined the Hoops from St Mirren two years ago during the January transfer window. Since then, he managed to register 31 games for the Hoops, scoring two goals and assisting a further three in the process.

And of course, Morgan quickly took to his social media accounts and Instagram to post a farewell message to Celtic and also to share a word or two about his upcoming adventure in America.

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And it didn’t really take long for some other stars, former teammates and friends to swarm the comment section on his Instagram profile, sending him their best wishes and messages.

Among them was Kieran Tierney, the current Arsenal defender who also decided to leave Celtic behind when he moved to the Emirates Stadium in August 2019.

He posted a short reply, wishing him good luck and following it up with a single emoji, while Boli Bolingoli was also among those who sent their best wishes.

According to a recent update from Football Insider, the Saudi Arabian-backed consortium that have been in talks to buy Newcastle United may switch attention to taking over West Ham instead.

The same source explains that detailed discussions with the Magpies have been held over the last month for a potential £340m purchase but no deal has been agreed.

And now, there are growing whispers the Saudi group could sensationally switch targets.

Of course, this arrived as wonderful news to many West Ham supporters who are eager to see co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold dethroned and for new leadership to rise.

Call yourself a West Ham expert? How much did each of these January signings cost?

Some of them were desperate for the news of a possible takeover to translate into something more concrete.

Some of the fans, however, are just not sure if this will ever happen – they feel this could just be a smokescreen to divert attention from the current situation the club find themselves in.

They somehow feel this is just too good to be true…

And funnily enough, one fan stated that he would rather get relegated and get new owners than stay in the Premier League and keep the current owners, who he calls clowns.

It seems the situation is more than just dire over at London Stadium.

In other news, one West Ham player should definitely start feeling threatened by a younger man potentially taking his place…

Tottenham Hotspur travel to Villa Park to face Aston Villa this weekend.

It is a game that carries added importance for Jose Mourinho’s men, who can cut the gap to fourth-placed Chelsea to a solitary point if they win. Chelsea, of course, play Manchester United on Monday.

However, there is unlikely to be a repeat of the opening game of the season, when Mauricio Pochettino guided his side to a relatively straightforward 3-1 win over the newly-promoted Villans.

Spurs did have to come from behind in the game after John McGinn had given Villa the lead in the first-half, but a debut goal from Tanguy Ndombele and a Harry Kane brace ensured that the hosts took all three points.

With Pochettino gone, though, it is a pertinent time to look back at that first game and see if we can draw any parallels with Jose Mourinho’s reign thus far.

The answer, amazingly, is really that we can’t.

Kane, of course, is currently injured, while Ndombele is being nursed through games – he has completed the 90 minutes once since the former Inter Milan manager’s appointment.

Per WhoScored, Spurs absolutely dominated proceedings throughout the clash with Villa. They had 70.1% possession – a number Mourinho has not matched in his last 10 games in charge – while they also had a staggering 31 shots on goal. Again, Mourinho has not matched that.

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There is also a point to be made about certain personnel; Christian Eriksen came off the bench in the 64th minute and helped turn the tide, while Kyle Walker-Peters and Danny Rose began the season as Spurs’ full-backs. All three have now left the club, with Eriksen joining Inter and Walker-Peters and Rose shipped out on loan to Southampton and Newcastle United respectively.

This weekend, then, there is unlikely to be a siege from Spurs and it is more likely that Mourinho will instruct his side to play more cautiously, looking to build in a slower manner and rely on individual brilliance in attack.

Across the last 10 Premier League games that Spurs have played, they have averaged 48.27% possession and a shot count per game of 11.1.

Their nadir for possession came against Manchester City, when they had just 33.1% of the ball, while they also recorded just three shots, despite winning 2-0.

Their zenith, by comparison, came against Southampton in the Premier League, when they chalked up 59.1% of the ball. The most shots in a game under Mourinho, interestingly, came against Watford, when they had 16. Spurs didn’t beat either Southampton or Watford, losing to the former and drawing with the latter.

It speaks to an old Mourinho adage: Whoever has the ball is more likely to make a mistake.

We are sure to see some more of that thinking this weekend.

Meanwhile, Spurs could have signed this striker in January!

Timo Werner has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool in recent weeks and months.

The Germany international has been in top form so far this campaign – he has scored 26 goals already in all competitions, with his latest coming against Tottenham in the Champions League on Wednesday night – and has attracted the interest of the Reds.

Call yourself a Liverpool expert? How much did each of these big-money January signings cost?

Following the match against Spurs this midweek, Werner was speaking to Jan-Aage Fjortoft on ViaSport. He was asked what he thought of the interest, and he said: “I know that Liverpool is the best team at the moment in the world.

“When you’re linked with that team it makes me very proud. It’s a pleasure but I know that Liverpool have a lot of good players and I have to improve myself, to learn much more things to get on this level to play there.”

This has got the club’s supporters talking, and they are delighted with the comments. Many believe that this means he is definitely on his way to Anfield.

It does seem that something may be in the offing. Usually, you would expect a player to say how committed he is to his current club, amongst similar comments, but there was nothing of the sort from the former VfB Stuttgart man.

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Other fans, meanwhile, like the fact that he wants to improve.

With Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah as Liverpool’s front three, there is work to do if he wants to earn a spot in the side after a potential move. His form this term, though, indicates that he would have every chance of doing just that.

Meanwhile, this Premier League hot-shot could be the perfect Adam Lallana replacement.