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According to a recent report from The Express and Star, West Brom are eyeing up a late January move for winger Jacob Murphy. The Englishman currently plays his football at Premier League outfit Newcastle United and has done so since leaving Norwich City back in the summer of 2017, although struggles for regular game time under Magpies manager Rafa Benitez this season has plunged his future at St James’ Park into doubt.

And a recent report from The Express and Star suggests that Darren Moore’s Baggies are one side seeking to take the winger on loan for the rest of the season, although the report does state that Murphy will only be allowed to leave if Newcastle strengthen their attacking options.

And with reports recently (as per the BBC) suggesting that the Magpies are closing in on a deal to sign Miguel Almiron, the door could well be ajar for Moore to finally lure the £6.3 million-rated Baggies target (as per Transfermarkt) to the Hawthorns.

The Breakdown

Ultimately, the Midlanders have seen fellow wingers Harvey Barnes and Bakary Sako leave the club this month to leave Moore somewhat short of options in that area of the field, with Barnes’ return to Leicester City particularly painful given just how brilliant he was in the first half of the season.

The England Under-21 international scored a mightily impressive nine goals and laid on seven assists in only 26 Championship appearances for West Brom in the first half of the campaign to help them into promotion contention, with the young winger alongside Dwight Gayle and Jay Rodriguez very much terrorising opposition defences throughout the campaign.

However, with the Englishman recalled by Claude Puel’s Foxes, alongside Sako’s move back to Premier League outfit Crystal Palace, a move for Newcastle’s Murphy makes complete sense, especially given how impressive he was for Norwich in the second tier a few years ago.

While the 23-year-old hasn’t quite been able to prove his worth to the North East giants since his move there back in 2017, there is no forgetting the level he produced during his time at Carrow Road in the 2016/17 season, which ultimately earned him the move to Newcastle.

The winger, capped six times at Under-21 level by England, bagged eight goals and laid on eight assists in 37 Championship appearances for the Canaries as they scored goals for fun to eventually finish eighth under Alex Neil – only Cameron Jerome (16) and Nelson Oliviera (11) scored more than Murphy for the Norfolk-based outfit.

Clearly then, the 23-year-old has great pedigree at second tier level just waiting to be unleashed once again, and with Newcastle reportedly (as per the BBC) closing in on a move for the highly-rated Almiron, that is only likely to push Murphy even further down Benitez’s pecking order.

And with reports recently (as per The Express and Star) suggesting that the winger would be allowed to leave were improvements brought in to that area of the field, the door is very much ajar for Moore to finally lure the Baggies target to West Brom.

West Brom fans… what do you think? Let us know!

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Crystal Palace fans have taken to Twitter to react in horror after James McArthur submitted a contender for ‘miss of the season’ in the 1-1 draw against West Ham at Selhurst Park.

The Scotsman found himself one-on-one with Lukasz Fabianski, who was on his knees leaving most of the goal gaping, and both Christian Benteke and Patrick van Aanholt to his right if he opted to square it.

However, the 31-year-old lifted his effort onto the left-hand post to send gasps reverberating around south London, and sighs of relief from the away end inside the stadium.

Be sure to check out the incredible story of the man who rose from a Tanzanian refugee camp to become one of Australia’s biggest football stars in the video below…

The moment is definitely up there as a potential ‘miss of the season’ winner, and could have cost the Eagles the game but for Wilfried Zaha’s late equaliser.

However, if McArthur had found the net, all three points could have been Palace’s, and fans of the club on Twitter were shocked with the former Wigan man’s mistake…

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Everton are in desperate need of an upgrade at right-back, and one report from Italy claims they will fight Crystal Palace for the signature of Ruben Aguilar.

What’s the story?

Well, according to Calciomercato, both Everton and Crystal Palace are hoping to sign the Montpellier right-back.

The 25 year-old has risen from a relative nobody to one of the best right-backs in Ligue 1 in the last 18 months, coming on leaps and bounds since his move from Auxerre to Montpellier in 2017.

He has excellent defensive capabilities and is improving all the time in the final third, and he could be the perfect Seamus Coleman replacement.

Why do they need him?

The Toffees upgraded three quarters of their ageing back line last summer, with Coleman the only starter remaining of that iconic Toffees defence marshalled by the Irishman, Phil Jagielka and Leighton Baines.

The 30 year-old has struggled massively this season though, and he is surely next up on the chopping block for director of football Marcel Brands.

Jonjoe Kenny sure loves a tackle, but the 21 year-old has yet to show any signs of developing into the complete full-back that Everton require, so a move for the more reliable and experienced Aguilar makes a lot of sense.

Is he good enough?

Aguilar is nowhere near the attacking threat that Coleman was in his prime, but the Frenchman is an absolute beast on the defensive end, which is where the Toffees are really struggling.

He averages a whopping three tackles per game this season, as well 1.2 interceptions and 1.2 aerial wins per game.

While he is still no slouch at the other end, recording one goal and two assists so far this season, it is this defensive stability that will appeal to Marco Silva and Brands.

The 25 year-old is not a dynamic game-changer who will inject pace and attacking intent into the Everton side, but he is calm on the ball, good enough to chip in with the odd assist, and most importantly of all he will not make costly errors at the back.

It can often take a while for a new signing to assimilate to his new surroundings. Met with a new club, new teammates, and a new culture; it’s rarely just a case of feeling comfortable immediately. However, in the case of Virgil van Dijk, the transition was seamless.

Following his move to Liverpool from Southampton, van Dijk didn’t need any time to adjust, with the Dutchman immediately looking settled on Merseyside. Both on the field and off of it, he has displayed maturity and ability, and very quickly he’s made his transfer fee look like a steal on the part of Liverpool.

Reds will be enjoying every second of their time with van Dijk at the heart of the defence, and it seems that if the 27-year-old gets his wish, they’ll be able to enjoy him for a long while yet.

Van Dijk has recently been involved in an interview with BBC Sport, and he’s revealed exactly what he hopes will come of his time at Liverpool.

Asked how he would like to be remembered at Anfield, he said: ‘As a legend of Liverpool. I want to achieve amazing things here. We have a fantastic squad, we have everything, we have all the tools.’

He continued: ‘When you play for this club, you’ll always be welcome as you’ve been part of the family. It’s one of the reasons I definitely wanted to play for the club.’

It seems as though the defender wants to enjoy a long and fruitful career at Anfield, and that’s fantastic news for the club.

Of course, van Dijk was never going to come to Liverpool and move on quickly. It was immediately clear that he was the sort of player that Jurgen Klopp would look to build around. However, top players often have dreams of playing for teams like Real Madrid and Barcelona, and this can often require them to use clubs as stepping stones to reach a higher goal.

However, in the case of van Dijk, it looks like he’s already achieved his dream of playing for his ideal club; and now it’s all about maximising his time there.

Certainly, van Dijk is well on the way to earning the legendary status that he craves. He’s been one of the signings of the decade, and no single recruit at Anfield has made such an unbelievable impact in recent memory – even Mohammed Salah.

Of course, nothing will improve his legacy more than by helping lead Liverpool’s charge to the Premier League title. Trophies have been preciously few and far between at Anfield in recent years; and so if this Liverpool squad manage to bring some silverware to the club, they’ll earn their place in the history books at Anfield. And van Dijk’s name will be up in lights at the top, given his influence.

Thoughts?

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Kalvin Phillips is having a wonderful season. The Leeds United midfielder is flourishing under Marcelo Bielsa at Elland Road. The Whites are currently chasing the Championship title and Phillips is playing a key role in the side.

The 23-year-old defensive midfielder provides a reliable, solid base for Leeds’ attacking contingent to build upon. Not only does he possess an excellent instinct for reading the game, his work rate, stamina and mobility make him a relentless nightmare to play against. 

On the ball, the locally-born academy graduate impresses even more. Once he has won possession back for his side by breaking up an opposition attack, Phillips consistently looks to play the ball forwards. His vision and range of passing often go unaccredited as the focus is invariably on his defensive work and aggressive pressing style, but those distribution skills are just as worthy of note.

He’s certainly an easy player to love. Phillips’ dynamic, all-action, blood and thunder style never fails to invigorate the Elland Road faithful. Certainly, the midfielder is a favourite amongst the fans these days.

However, it has not been an easy journey for Phillips to get to this point. It’s never straightforward for any academy player to break into the first team at any club and force their way into the starting XI. Even though he has managed that laudable feat, Phillips has still had his critics. 

Watch how to cross the road like a boss with freestyler Ben Nuttall in the video below…

Prior to the appointment of Bielsa, who looks to have brought the best out of Phillips, the youngster was an inconsistent and often frustrating player. It wouldn’t be surprising if there were some who were ready to give up on him at Leeds. Now, though, they’ll be desperate to cling onto him.

Premier League clubs will have taken note of Phillips’ form this season. The midfielder’s application, attitude and industry may well garner some interest. In this regard, Everton must seriously consider making a swoop for the Leeds man in the upcoming summer transfer window.

If the Whites fail to seal promotion this season, then Everton should be able to prise their man away from Elland Road with a minimum of fuss. Even if Leeds do come up, the Toffees still ought to possess the financial clout to force a deal through. Marco Silva should certainly throw whatever resources he can into getting a deal done.

The Portuguese coach has suffered at Goodison Park this season thanks, in part, to his midfield. In the middle of the park, Everton lack steel and bite. The likes of Tom Davies, Andre Gomes and Morgan Schneiderlin don’t have the defensive discipline and fighting spirit that Phillips would bring.

Of the midfield contingent currently at Silva’s disposal, only Idrissa Gueye has these qualities. However, the Merseyside club will likely have to seek a replacement for the 29-year-old this summer anyway.

As reported by L’Equipe, Gueye was devastated to see a January move to PSG collapse, and hopes that the Ligue 1 giants will return for him. Either way, he has made it clear that he intends to make a step up in his career soon.

Whilst he remains untested at Premier League level, Phillips looks like he could be the perfect replacement for Gueye. Not only that, but given he is English he would also help the Toffees achieve their homegrown player quota.

Launching a bid for the Leeds midfielder this summer is something of a gamble, but it’s certainly a risk well worth taking for Everton.

West Ham United have frustrated their fans this year with another disappointing season that has come to nothing, and we’re beginning to wonder if there’s some players in the squad who have lost faith in the club’s future.

Manuel Pellegrini’s arrival should have indicated the start of a new era for West Ham, with all his experience of Premier League success as Manchester City manager, but he’s had relatively little of it.

Yes, it’s been an improvement on a bitterly disappointing season under ineffective David Moyes, but just about anything would have beaten the misery of his rule.

Fans could probably let slip inconsistencies in the Premier League whilst Pellegrini figures out the formula; but their whimpering and pathetic performances in the domestic cups are unforgivable, and it is blatantly obvious that some of those resulted from the efforts of certain individuals.

So, who are these wantaway players?

Pedro Obiang

Whether he likes it or not Pedro Obiang could be one of those heading out of the door come summer.

With Declan Rice tied down to the club, West Ham will be keen on finding a solid partner to help create a formidable midfield partnership, and Obiang simply does not make the cut.

Obiang was already close to leaving with Fiorentina reportedly interested in taking the player back to Italy this January, but West Ham rejected the bid as they couldn’t find a replacement, so it is only a matter of time before he is moved on (source: Sky Sports).

Andy Carroll

The big forward’s time at West Ham is surely coming to an end now with a far more accomplished array of strikers ahead of him in the selection.

According to Chronicle Live, the club made his services available for the cut price of £2m in January in the hopes of tempting bids from fellow Premier League sides. To no avail.

There comes a point when footballers have to reflect on the time they have left in the game, and Carroll, 30, will certainly be weighing up his future options.

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Liverpool are a club who pride themselves on their ability to bring through the next generation of young talent, and recent quotes from U18 boss Barry Lewtas hints that another success story is looming.

What’s the word?

The Reds are set to face Bury U18’s in the FA Youth Cup quarter final this evening and Lewtas is facing a selection dilemma with his centre-forwards in such relentless form.

Bobby Duncan and Paul Glatzel have scored 24 goals apiece so far this season, but the fact Fidel O’Rourke stepped into the side in place of Glatzel last time out and impressed with the captain’s armband speaks volumes about the depth of talent Liverpool have coming through.

Ahead of the game this evening, Lewtas delivered his verdict on squad selection and Fidel’s impact against Blackburn, per Liverpool Echo.

“With the schedule we’ve got, we can’t just flog the same lads over this period. We have to take boys out at certain times and use the fact that we’ve got a very good squad.

“It’s an exciting time. They’ve put themselves in a position where there’s something riding on every game.

“Fidel came in against Blackburn and did ever so well. His first goal was fantastic and the second was a real striker’s goal with the tap in.”

Is Jurgen Klopp a “serial bottler”? The fan in the video below certainly thinks so…

Another success story to add to the collection?

The likes of Raheem Sterling, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez are a few high-profile examples of players who have made a seamless transition from the youth ranks and into the first-team in recent years.

Liverpool Echo journalist James Pearce recently hinted that he expects Adam Lewis to make the breakthrough in place of Alberto Moreno, but the competition for places at centre-forward in the U18 squad could catalyse the development of one of the aforementioned goal-hungry attackers.

Duncan and Glatzel’s stunning records in front of goal this season naturally point towards a future role in the first-team and, with O’Rourke breathing down their necks for a starting berth, promotion into the U23 squad and beyond could be just around the corner for the most outstanding teenager.

Lewtas’ selection dilemma and admission that this is an “exciting time” prove that it may not be too long before another teenage prodigy establishes himself in the senior squad.

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino served the first game of his two-match ban against Southampton at the weekend.

The Spurs boss watched on from the stands as his side lost 2-1 to the relegation-threatened Saints.

The FA handed Pochettino the ban, along with a £10,000 fine, after an altercation with referee Mike Dean following the club’s 2-1 loss to Burnley.

The Argentine and the official were involved in a heated confrontation at Turf Moor, with Pochettino seemingly reacting to something said by Dean.

The FA have now revealed the official reasons, via Daily Mail, for Pochettino’s ban, with Dean alleging in his report of the game that the Spurs boss said “you know what you are” repeatedly to him on the pitch, before saying it again in the tunnel.

However, supporters are not happy with the reasoning, insisting that they need to know what was said by Dean as well, with coaches Jesus Perez and Toni Jimenez also reacting adversely towards the man in the middle.

Take a look at the best of the reaction below!

Injury: that short, unmistakable word; the heart wrenching ping, snap, twist, pull, tear or break.

It is a harsh reality sportsmen must face when competing at the highest level: that their bodies could, at any point, give in on them.

The tragic event which could befall anyone – the end of their career as they know it, at least.

Louis Saha is one of these people, one of the unfortunate few that were chosen and could do little to battle their way through the trials and tribulations of recovery.

The former Manchester United man made the switch from Craven Cottage to Old Trafford in 2004¸ presumably full of hope and anticipation for his then fledging career at one of the world’s most iconic clubs.

At 25-years-of-age there were no immediate signs of ill-health or physical fatigue – he was in the prime of his career, having already established himself as a talent at his former club Fulham, netting an impressive 26 league goals in 73 appearances.

From January to the end of the season Louis Saha was everything Manchester United could have hoped for.

He released some of the immense pressure which had been piling on Ruud van Nistelrooy in the wake of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s injury, scoring seven times in 12 Premier League appearances.

It truly was very promising stuff.

But fate reared its ugly head and cruelly struck the forward down the following season.

Saha would spend a month out of action after picking up an injury on international duty – a largely unnecessary risk players faced during the period of obsolete ‘friendly’ matches, pre-UEFA Nations League.

He returned but was never the same. Indeed, like with most injuries, players carry scarring; not the kind you can see, but the type that harbours itself inside the players head – those niggling worries that the injury may hit again.

And it did – a savage blow of stark similarity rained upon him – the same infliction under the very same circumstances on international duty.

He would spend two months out.

And again. Three months sidelined at the start of the following season.

In an amazing display of defiance Saha would return and re-establish himself in the first-team scoring 15 goals during the 2005/06 campaign, later replacing the outbound Ruud van Nistelrooy, who joined Real Madrid in summer 2006.

Saha burdened the responsibility well. He had become the player Manchester United initially invested in; the pacey, mercurial, goalscoring talent that belonged in the starting line-up.

There was some consistency about his game until he was hit with more complication – this time affecting his groin and hamstring.

A single, paltry goal would sit solitarily alone on Saha’s record that season – a sad indication that the injuries had taken their toll.

An absence from Manchester United’s famous Champions League victory would be the final nail in the coffin for Saha, and he would agree to be moved on later that year.

Injuries would ultimately hamper his career at Everton, Sunderland and Lazio, where he eventually retired.

When asked by Shortlist who the best forward he played with was Wayne Rooney answered: “That’s so hard. There are so many… [thinks hard] I’m going to say Louis Saha. He’s a fantastic player; a real handful for anyone and I just really enjoyed playing off him. He was so lively and made great runs in behind. Always making space for others.”

This is both a testament to his quality and the catastrophic turn his career took.

[ad_pod ]Manchester United fans on Twitter are riled after Paul Pogba spoke of his admiration for Real Madrid in the media, saying that they are a ‘dream club for every player’.The France international has been at Old Trafford for three years now since returning to the club in 2016 for a then world-record fee of £89m, having been let go by the Red Devils in 2012 – Pogba ended up joining Juventus on a free transfer.Which “global superstar” has just been named Man Utd’s worst ever January signing? Find out in the video above…Talk of the World Cup winner being unhappy in Manchester was rife towards the end of Jose Mourinho’s tenure in charge of the 20-time Premier League champions, and whilst he appears happier under the tutelage of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, that hasn’t stopped him flirting with the Spanish giants.Understandably, United fans aren’t too happy with the 26-year-old’s comments, especially at a time where it looks like the club is heading in the right direction under Solskjaer.Many have questioned his commitment to the cause, so let’s take a look at what some of the United fans on Twitter are saying about Pogba’s silly comments…