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As Tottenham Hotspur gear up to face West Ham United in the Premier League on Sunday, manager Jose Mourinho has dropped an enticing claim surrounding star front man Harry Kane – with the Portuguese believing he will be ‘OK and ready’ for the match. 

Kane missed Tottenham’s 4-1 victory away to Wolfsberger, with the likes of Son Heung-min and Lucas Moura putting in noteworthy performances, and there was brief worries surrounding his fitness and another potential injury.

Reliable Spurs correspondent Alasdair Gold then relayed ‘positive news for Spurs fans’ by sharing that Kane didn’t pick up a fresh injury – with Mourinho since claiming his absence was a precautionary measure.

Jose Mourinho drops enticing Tottenham claim

The Englishman opted out of the Europa League trip in order to not take a risk after coming back from his latest knock, and the Spurs boss has since dropped an enticing claim that he should be fit to take on the Hammers.

“His feelings were that to play this game could be a risk with the accumulation of minutes and the accumulation of minutes after the injury that he had,” he explained to the press (via football.london).

“Of course myself and the medical department, we agreed with him in giving him this opportunity to take care of his condition, but I believe on Sunday he will be OK and ready.”

Transfer Tavern take

Given Kane’s importance to this Tottenham team, this could come as a huge sigh of relief given he wasn’t left out due to another injury.

The precautionary measure could be a smart move as Mourinho will not want to take risks involving his star striker, and the notion he is likely to be available for West Ham is undoubtedly good news.

In other news: Tottenham are eyeing this £17.4 million-rated star, find out more here.

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Steve Howey has heaped praise on Rangers duo Allan McGregor and James Tavernier for their performances this season.

The former Newcastle and Manchester City centre-back waxed lyrical about McGregor and Tavernier when speaking exclusively to FFC earlier this week.

Veteran goalkeeper McGregor has quickly re-established himself as the first choice between the sticks since returning to Ibrox on a two-year deal.

And Tavernier, who has arguably been one of Steven Gerrard’s best and most consistent players, seems to have found an entirely new level over the past 12 months.

The club captain has now scored 17 goals this season as he continues to rack up astonishing numbers from right-back as Gerrard’s side edge closer to Scottish Premiership title glory.

When asked by Football FanCast to name Rangers’ best player this season so far, Howey went one step further than that, by saying that both players have been immense for Gerrard’s band of merry men.

Here’s what he had to say about McGregor and Tavernier when speaking exclusively to Football FanCast:

“With Rangers, the two players that have stood out for me this season – and all of them really have done very well, everyone’s chipping in – but Tavernier, some of the goals he has scored from set-pieces and Allan McGregor the goalkeeper (stand out) but, I think all of them have done very well.

“If you take Tavernier, for example. He was at Newcastle and this is why I’ve got such admiration for these players because ultimately, they’ve been rejected.

“We’ve seen so many good players who have been at clubs and have been released and not come back because they’ve let the rejection get to them.

“I mean, don’t get me wrong, the likes of Adam Armstrong, Ivan Toney and Tavernier have all suffered massive setbacks but they’ve come good.

“And again, I’m delighted for Tavernier, I think he’s been excellent this season.”

Tavernier has even managed to turn his domestic form into two goals and three assists in six Europa Lague appearances, whilst he’s clearly turning heads amid interest from clubs south of the border.

It’s no surprise, then, that his market value has soared, as he is currently valued at £7.2m via Transfermarkt, which is a dramatic increase in his market value last year.

This means that any potential move away from Ibrox won’t come cheap, with Gerrard reluctant to sell any of his key men in the January transfer window as he bids to stop Celtic from ten in a row.

Both men are two of the most seasoned and experienced members of the squad and it’s unlikely that the board would be willing to let both players leave halfway through the season, especially when they find themselves leading the title race at the top of the table.

Rangers fans will hope that the two men picked out by Howey continue to shine and lead Rangers to the title.

AND in other news, Rangers loanee Kai Kennedy showed his class against Hearts…

Ahead of the January transfer window, Everton have been linked with yet another midfield option, though it’s one they should avoid at all costs…

What’s the word?

According to Calciomercato, the Toffees are ‘making concrete steps forward’ in their reported pursuit of Juventus outcast Sami Khedira over a potential deal.

It’s claimed that the German World Cup winner wants to leave Turin and is working to have his contract terminated before the turn of the year.

The 33-year-old is said to want a move sorted out before he leaves the Serie A giants, which is where Everton come into the equation. It remains to be seen where the Merseysiders currently stand in this regard.

Gbamin 2.0?

Khedira is yet to play for Juventus this season and has not featured for the Italian champions since their 0-0 draw with AC Milan in the Coppa Italia back in June.

In fact, that has been his only competitive showing in 2020. This is because the former Real Madrid powerhouse has been battling injuries for the latter part of his career.

During the last two years alone, the veteran midfielder has gone under the needle twice for two knee surgeries and that has got to be a major red flag, especially considering this effectively mirrors the problems the club have been dealing with in the shape of 2019 arrival, Jean-Philippe Gbamin.

The 25-year-old has played just twice for the Toffees since joining for £25m. Whilst it is not his fault, director of football Marcel Brands cannot afford to risk his reported £184k-per-week wages when there’s a risk he won’t even play let alone be the back-up to Allan.

In the past, Khedira has been lauded as an “intelligent and smart player” by Joachim Low whilst Jose Mourinho dubbed him the “best” in his position.

Even Ancelotti has recently waxed lyrical about his former player, he told reporters: “I have a good memory of Sami Khedira, he was with me at Real Madrid and was a fantastic professional. I would love to work with him, but unfortunately, he’s not the only one! I’ve had fantastic players in my career, I’ve had good memories of them.”

Regardless of what he once was, Khedira would be an awful signing for the Toffees to make. It would be inexcusable to crack on and sign him this January, even if he arrived on a free transfer.

AND in other news, Everton flop was worse than Tom Davies during defeat to Leeds…

Steve Bruce can scare Jurgen Klopp by unleashing Matty Longstaff for his second start of the Premier League season when Newcastle United host Liverpool on Wednesday night.

Longstaff earned his first opening call of the campaign during the Magpies’ 2-0 defeat to Manchester City on Boxing Day having struggled to earn game time this season.

Bruce had only offered the 20-year-old talent 29 minutes of top-flight action before the Etihad Stadium affair, with Longstaff suffering ongoing issues with the thigh injury first sustained towards the end of last season.

Bruce admitted concern over Longstaff’s lengthy absence earlier in the campaign with his soft-tissue injury proving “very problematic”, but was pleased with how the youngster was able to perform against Pep Guardiola’s side at the weekend.

“He gave a performance which reminded me of why I put him in the team last year,” he said, via quotes by The Northern Echo. “He’s had a really difficult time in terms of a thigh injury that he couldn’t shake off.

“He probably broke down two or three times with it. He’s not been right in himself, and lost a lot of weight in lockdown, for whatever reason. Thankfully, he’s got that back, and reminded us of what a good player he is.”

Longstaff played the full 90 minutes against Manchester City on Saturday as he upstaged his more experienced teammates Isaac Hayden, with the Toon product recording two successful tackles, two interceptions, one key ball and one successful dribble while winning four of seven ground duels, per SofaScore.

Longstaff never let his head dip amid a tough night at the Etihad Stadium, either, with the Citizens dictating the flow of play with 75% of the ball, seven big chances to score and three-times as many total passes as Newcastle.

Bruce can scare Klopp when United host Liverpool on Wednesday by retaining Longstaff in his starting plans, while demonstrating to the £4.5m-rated prospect that chances will be on offer amid reports the midfielder is considering his immediate future.

Longstaff, understood to be a January target for a number of Championship sides including Derby County and Nottingham Forest, was said by The Sun (27/12, p. 56) to be hopeful of securing a winter loan deal in order to play regular first-team football again.

Bruce awarded Longstaff his first-team debut at home to Manchester United last season and would see the 20-year-old net the winner, before scoring twice more in 15 appearances across the remainder of the campaign.

AND in other news: Steve Bruce has been dealt a huge blow, leaving Newcastle United with a titanic task vs Liverpool.

MatériaMais Notícias

Após o empate do Internacional contra o Bayer Leverkusen, por 3 a 3, nesta quarta-feira, na estreia das equipes na Florida Cup, no Estádio Lockhart, em Fort Lauderdale, nos Estados Unidos, o meia Anderson afirmou que ainda existe possibilidade de deixar o Colorado.

Recentemente os dirigentes gaúchos teriam recusado uma oferta de R$ 25 milhões do Hebei Fortune, da China, por Anderson. O meio-campista revelou que as negociações com o chineses continuam acontecendo e que, apesar de estar satisfeito no Inter, pode se transferir em breve.

– Eu sou jogador do Inter. Tenho quatro anos de contrato. Estou muito feliz, mas tudo pode acontecer. Estamos negociando. Vamos ver. Se tiver que ficar, ficarei muito feliz – disse Anderson.

Comprado no ano passado junto ao Manchester United, da Inglaterra, por um valor que teria alcançado R$ 24 milhões, Anderson sempre foi visto no Inter como um jogador que poderia render um bom dinheiro ao clube, apesar do baixo rendimento em campo. A intenção da diretoria seria conseguir um valor de R$ 40 milhões em uma possível venda neste momento. Além do Fortune haveria outro clube chinês interessado no jogador.

– A questão em particular do Anderson: veio uma proposta, rechaçada em função do valor, que o presidente entendeu que não era factível com o que se pretendia. Vamos aguardar se eles vêm novamente com mais pressão para cima do Internacional – afirmou Carlos Pellegrini, vice-presidente de futebol do Inter ao Globoesporte.com, antes da viagem para o torneio nos Estados Unidos, sobre a possibilidade de vender o jogador.

Em pouco menos de um ano no Inter, Anderson fez 45 jogos, marcando apenas um gol.

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Charlie Austin was once a quality striker in the Premier League, with the forward enjoying impressive spells at QPR and Southampton in particular but based on his lack of appearances in the top-flight so far this season with West Brom, it seems as if his time at the top-level may well be over.

Therefore, it could be argued that the Saints did well to cash in on the 31-year-old when they did in the summer of 2019, with Austin joining the Baggies in a deal worth £3.87 million (per Transfermarkt).

The striker, who contributed 20 goals and four assists in 81 appearances for the South Coast club, enjoyed a fairly fruitful campaign with the Baggies last season, as he scored 11 goals in 40 appearances in all competitions.

However, his contributions, which helped Slaven Bilic’s side earn promotion to the top-flight, were seemingly not enough to convince the Croatian manager that he is worthy of a starting spot in the top-flight.

The 31-year-old was on the bench for West Brom’s opening game against Leicester City but hasn’t been in the Premier League squad for any other fixture so far this term, whilst he has made two appearances in the EFL Cup (per Transfermarkt).

Austin’s time at Southampton was not short of controversy, as he was told to train with the U’23s in the summer of 2019 before his departure. However, he did impress in spells for the Saints, with Matt Le Tissier and Jamie Redknapp both full of praise for the Englishman back in 2016.

The forward also made his feelings about Southampton and their fans clear in a foul-mouthed Twitter rant earlier this year, suggesting that the club did very well to be rid of him.

Considering that he seems to be something of a trouble-maker and clearly isn’t having an impact in the Premier League this season, you can definitely argue that Semmens did well to receive a fee for him in 2019, as well as getting his reported £70k per week wages off Southampton’s books.

Southampton’s strike force has certainly blossomed since his departure too, with Danny Ings and Che Adams having both impressed over the past year, so they are definitely not missing having Austin around the club.

Leeds United invested heavily into their U23s this summer.

Joe Gelhardt, Cody Drameh, Sam Greenwood and Crysencio Summerville were all signed for decent fees, and the club will be hoping to get a decent return on their investment in the years to come.

United’s U23s have been brilliant over the past few years, lifting the PDL National Title back in 2019, while a number of young stars such as Jamie Shackleton and Leif Davis have gone on to make first-team appearances over the past two years.

However, that was all under the tutelage of Carlos Corberan, and his good work at U23 level earnt him a shot at senior management as he left Leeds this summer to take over as Huddersfield Town’s new manager.

That left Leeds in a predicament, they needed a replacement to carry on the Spaniard’s good work, and in the end, they decided to promote U18s manager Mark Jackson.

So, can we expect Jackson to carry on the good work Corberan started? All the signs seem to point towards the answer being yes.

Corberan may have won the PDL National Title at U23 level, but just a year prior, Jackson’s U18s were winning the PDL North league title, so he clearly has the ability to turn his sides into winners.

Away from his successes with the U18s, his peers can’t speak highly enough of him, with Paul Hart, the man who handed him his first coaching job at Leeds, giving him a glowing review.

“When I was there [at Leeds] the last time, I was aware that he was around and I have tremendous respect for him so I employed him as a coach.

“He was fantastic, I have complete trust in him. Good values, honest and just a thoroughly reliable guy.

“As a coach, he was well prepared, handled the detail, worked hard, eager to learn, everything you want.”

When Jackson first took charge of the U18s in 2016, he did it alongside former teammate Andy Gray, and he also had some kind words to say about Jackson’s coaching ability.

“He was very good, very organised, knew the game, very good with the players and getting the best out of them,” said Gray.

“He’s suited to the role in terms of developing players – he’s had a hand in helping the likes of Jamie Shackleton and Robbie Gotts get into the first team. He’s been hard but fair with them, you know where you stand. He gets his point across really well. It’s a logical next step up for him and one he’ll do very well in.”

With Leeds finally back in the top-flight, the players they develop will have to be of a very high-standard if they want to get into the first-team, and if Jackson does his job well, his efforts could be huge in United’s quest for sustained success at the Premier League level.

According to Goal, Tottenham have asked about signing Juventus defender Merih Demiral before the end of the transfer window on Monday.

What’s the word?

With time running out for clubs to bring in the players that they want, Spurs are still looking to add a new centre-back before the window shuts.

Goal claim that Demiral was the subject of an enquiry by Spurs about his potential availability, but that Serie A heavyweights Juventus knocked it back.

The report adds that the Bianconeri view him as a key part of their plans, with the defender only just working his way back to full fitness recently.

Mourinho’s new John Terry

Whilst it appears Spurs’ chances of landing Demiral before the transfer window deadline are fading, there can always be a few twists and turns as clubs become more desperate and make quick decisions.

One thing is for certain though, is that Demiral would be a superb acquisition for Jose Mourinho’s side. The Spurs boss of course had John Terry as a key part of his early title-winning Chelsea reign, and when you look at the way people talk about Demiral now, you can see some very clear similarities between the two centre-backs.

Turkish football expert, Emre Sarigul, said: “He is the type of defender the fans love because he is brave and loves to tackle and when attacking players have a beast like Merih lunging at them they think twice about trying to dribble past him. He is very difficult to beat in the air. The kid is fearless but isn’t arrogant. A real warrior who never gives up. He managed to keep the likes of Mbappe, Griezmann and Giroud quiet just last month when Turkey beat World Champions France 2-0 in the 2020 Euro qualifiers.”

Demiral was also badly wanted by Brendan Rodgers earlier this year, with the Leicester boss not being shy in his praise of the Juventus defender. When asked about the possibility of a deal, he said: “There’s nothing to add, only that he’s a very good defender, and a very good player.” His comments came just a couple of weeks after he played it coy, and simply said that the 22-year-old is a “talented player”. Reports had even suggested that the Foxes saw two bids rejected for the Bianconeri star.

If Spurs can somehow convince Juventus to part ways with the centre-back before Monday, then it would be a massive coup.

And in other news, Daniel Levy may have missed a trick with this man.

لم يستقر بعد، خوان لابورتا، رئيس مجلس إدارة برشلونة، على المدرب الذي سيقود الفريق الأول للنادي الكتالوني، خلفًا للمدرب الهولندي، رونالد كومان.

ويرغب خوان لابورتا، رئيس مجلس إدارة برشلونة في إقالة، رونالد كومان، من تدريب الفريق، وخاصًة بعد نتائج المدرب الأخيرة المُخيبة للآمال مع الفريق.

واتخذ لابورتا قرارًا لا رجعة فيه بإقالة كومان من تدريب الفريق، وذلك وفقًا لما ذكرته صحيفة “سبورت” الكتالونية، في تقرير لها، مساء أمس الخميس (طالع مزيدًا من التفاصيل).

وحسب شبكة “ESPN” العالمية، فإن لابورتا يدرس إمكانية تسليم زمام الفريق الأول، للمدرب للإسباني، ألبرت كابيلاس، مدرب أكاديمية برشلونة حتى نهاية الموسم.

وأشارت الشبكة إلى أن لابورتا يريد التعاقد مع مدرب من المدربين الكبار، ويعلم أن هُناك إمكانية بأن تتواجد أسماء أخرى كبرى مرشحة لتدريب الفريق، لذا يفكر في كابيلاس كحل مؤقت. 

وأوضحت الشبكة أن هُناك اسم جديد، ضمن القائمة المُختصرة لـ لابورتا، وهو المدرب الألماني، رالف رانكيك، المدير الفني السابق لنادي لايبزيج.

رانكيك في الوقت الحالي، يتولى منصب المدير الرياضي في نادي لوكوموتيف موسكو، ولابورتا يرى أن سيكون خيارًا جيدًا وخاصً بسبب الألقاب التي حققها في ألمانيا مع شالكه وسالزبورج في النمسا.

رانكيك خلال مسيرته التدريبة حقق ثمانية ألقاب، ثلاثة منها مع شالكه، حيق فاز بكأس الدوري الألماني وكأس ألمانيا وكأس السوبر الألماني، كما فاز مع ريد بول بلقب الدوري النمساوي وكأس النمسا في مناسبتين.

According to Transfer20, Tottenham are in the race to sign Real Betis midfielder William Carvalho this summer.

What’s the word?

Despite their reported interest in Southampton ace Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, it appears Spurs are casting their net far and wide, with Carvalho the latest man to be linked with a switch to north London.

Transfer20 claim that along with the likes of Leeds United and Leicester, Jose Mourinho’s side are keeping tabs on the Portugal international’s long-term future at Betis.

Is it Mido or Pedro Mendes? This Spurs quiz will separate the loyal from the fake…



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The report adds that whilst Carvalho is unlikely to force a move this summer, he does remain an asset that could bring in some much-needed cash to the Spanish side.

Cristiano Ronaldo wanted him at Real Madrid

Carvalho’s name is one that has dominated the transfer headlines for a number of years now, particularly since his time at Sporting CP.

Such was the early promise that he showed that reports back in 2017 claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo had urged Real Madrid president Florentino Perez to bring his Portuguese compatriot to the Santiago Bernabeu as he was impressed with his versatility and deemed him to be a good fit.

His former Portugal teammate Tiago raved about Carvalho’s abilities as an anchor man, saying: “He’s an amazing player with fantastic passing ability for such a strong holding midfielder.” And after watching his performance in a EURO 2016 clash against Austria, Rio Ferdinand lauded him as a “giant” with a “calmness” on the ball.

If Spurs feel like they are getting priced out of a move for Hojbjerg by Southampton, then they can do a lot worse than going after the 6 foot 2 Carvalho this summer.