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According to football.london’s Alasdair Gold, Spurs midfielder Tanguy Ndombele is impressing the club’s staff with his fitness in one of the more surprising developments to come out of Hotspur Way…

What’s been said?

In the past, the Frenchman’s fitness has certainly come into question as he has struggled to truly cement a regular spot in the starting XI under all four of his previous managers, permanent and temporary.

Jose Mourinho once launched a scathing attack on his commitment and physical health, whilst Arsenal and France legend Emmanuel Petit pondered to The Sun in March 2020: “Is he overweight? He looks a little bit. But his body language does not help him. He needs to improve physically.”

However, that looks to have changed substantially.

‘While there have been previous qualms about Ndombele’s fitness, football.london understands that this season Ndombele is considered by the sports science staff to be in the best physical condition of his time at the club,’ wrote Gold.

Massive boost

Ndombele could prove to be quite the key figure for Antonio Conte in the coming weeks and months as the Italian desperately needs a creative solution in the final third.

Spurs rank last for average number of shots per game (10.1) in the entire top-flight and their last shot on target came nearly four hours ago – a worrying trend heading into a big clash with Leeds United next weekend.

As per Gold in his report, no player covered more distance in the win over Newcastle United last month, not to mention his all-important equaliser at St James’ Park whilst playing in the hole.

The fact that the 24-year-old appears to be in the best physical condition since his arrival in N17 will come as a major boost as his new boss demands peak physique and commitment on the training pitch, having banned things like ketchup and butter in the canteen, and that’ll only bolster his claims to start in the no.10 role more often.

Elsewhere, only Lucas Moura (three) is averaging more dribbles per game than Ndombele (1.5), which suggests he’s a big influence in driving the ball forward for the team.

The former Lyon dynamo also leads the way for progressive carries towards the opposition’s goal, averaging 10.2 per 90 minutes, via FBref, which further highlights the need for him in the attacking third.

Once deemed “unplayable” by ex-teammate Joe Hart, this latest development is sure to leave many supporters thrilled by the prospect of their club-record £55m man thriving under Conte.

In fact, many have already reacted glowingly in response to Gold’s report – as relayed by This is Futbol this week.

A fit and firing Ndombele could well hold the keys to a more successful Spurs this season. If he is indeed in his best condition ever, then that is hugely positive news.

AND in other news, Paratici plotting Spurs swoop for “explosive” £31.5m-rated gem, Conte badly needs him…

Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani will not remain at the club past this season, according to Fabrizio Romano, who said there is “no intention” from the club to extend his contract beyond this season.

With star-signing Cristiano Ronaldo not putting up the kind of numbers fans were hoping for this season, and now 37-years-old, the club are likely to make signing a new striker their priority – and Harry Kane is believed to once again be at the top of their shopping list.

What’s the news?

According to The Athletic, the England captain is “prime among thoughts at Old Trafford”, and a move is far likelier than it was last year due to “budgetary constraints” at the club after they signed Jadon Sancho for £76.5m from Borussia Dortmund in the summer.

The report also states that Tottenham are in fact looking at potential replacements for the striker, utilising their relationship with ‘super-agent’ Jorge Mendes by holding talks over Benfica’s Darwin Nunez and Roma’s Tammy Abraham.

This development should give United fans hope that they will see Kane line-up in a red shirt next season, as it appears that the north London club may already be preparing for life without their homegrown star, and have already conceded that they will have to sell him.

Kane would bring United back to glory

Kane would serve as an excellent alternative to clinical Borussia Dortmund Erling Haaland, who despite managing more league goals than the Spurs striker this season, is still the inferior option.

Interestingly, he has completed far fewer dribbles than the £90m-rated Englishman, who has been described as “sluggish” at times throughout his career.

However, the Premier League is the best league in the world, and the most difficult challenge for any player wanting to test themselves at the highest level, and Haaland is yet to do that – so to replicate Kane’s achievements will still be incredibly difficult.

Football writer Andrew Gaffney described him perfectly in 2020, saying: “Harry Kane is a different kind of animal. There is no striker in world football like him. First line of attack and first line of defence. What a captain.”

In the last 365 days, the 28-year-old has ranked in the top 5% of strikers in Europe’s top five leagues and continental competitions for passes into the final third per 90 (2.55), top 1% for through-balls per 90 (0.40), and top 7% for successful dribbles percentage per 90 (65.3%) – proving just how complete of a forward he is aside from just goal-scoring.

In comparison, United target Haaland, who rated Kane better than him in 2020, is in the worst 15% for passes into the final third per 90. He is also only in the top 50% for through balls and in the worst 46% for successful dribbles. As a result, it’s evident the Spurs man would offer a great deal more to the Red Devils’ front line.

With him now just 83 goals away from breaking Alan Shearer’s record for all-time Premier League goals scored (260), Kane is hungrier than ever to score goals, and with his incredible teamwork, hunger and desire to improve not only himself and the players around him, he can help United return to the glory days of old.

In other news: “Completed in the coming days”: Romano drops big MUFC claim, supporters surely buzzing

Crystal Palace travel a short distance to pay a visit to their arch-rivals Brighton and Hove Albion tonight on the south coast, with this being the first Premier League fixture for Patrick Vieira’s side since New Year’s Day.

The rivalry between the two clubs stems from the 1970s after a series of controversial clashes caused a feud between Brighton manager Alan Mullery and Eagles boss Terry Venables.

Current Palace manager Vieira will be hoping to take all three points from the game at the Amex Stadium and move above Leicester City into 10th ahead of the Premier League weekend.

The Frenchman confirmed in his press conference that he is without five senior players for the trip, with James McArthur still out following a hamstring injury from which the £55k-p/w star is yet to recover, despite hope that he would have made a speedier return.

Speaking ahead of the match, Vieira addressed the 32-year-old’s injury and timeframe on a possible return, saying: “There is still a long way to go. I think we’re talking about a couple of weeks.”

Wilfried Zaha, Jordan Ayew and Cheikhou Kouyate are all away with their national teams at the Africa Cup of Nations, while James Tomkins has sustained an injury and the club are waiting on more news as to how long he will be sidelined. However, Vieira is “hopeful” that 6 foot 3 first-choice goalkeeper Vicente Guaita will be available for tonight.

With that being said, we expect two changes to the line-up we saw against the win over Milwall in the FA Cup last weekend, and we think it will look like this…

Despite having only five appearances for Palace this season, we expect that Vieira will give Eberechi Eze the opportunity to remain in the starting line-up after an exemplary performance in the cup win over Milwall.

In terms of the two changes, we can see Jean-Philippe Mateta being swapped out for star striker Odsonne Edouard, who was rested in the cup clash at The Den.

The other change sees Guaita replace Jack Butland in the side, as the Spanish goalkeeper has recovered from a dislocated finger he sustained last month, which ruled him out against Milwall six days ago. The ex-Stoke netminder could have been facing the chop anyway after his goal-causing blunder in Bermondsey.

The rest of the side should stay the same, and Vieira will be hoping that Palace can pick up just their second away league win of the season. A repeat of last year’s 2-1 victory at the Amex wouldn’t go amiss.

In other news: Vieira was dealt this double blow ahead of tonight’s clash

Lots of Everton fans have been left raging at some transfer news that has emerged on Ross Barkley.

As per The Daily Telegraph, the Goodison Park faithful are now interested in signing their former player on loan until the end of the season.

This has not gone down well with a lot of Merseyside club supporters, given the way he left for Chelsea back in 2018, when he rejected a new deal and a £30m move to Stamford Bridge, only to move for just £15m a few months after (BBC).

Barkley was one of their own, coming through the Toffees Academy, and ended up playing 179 games for the senior side, scoring 27 goals and making a further 29 assists in total over all competitions (Transfermarkt).

However, his numbers at Chelsea have been far from impressive since, and added to the bitterness that surrounded the club when he left, it would surely be wise for the Blues to look elsewhere.

Everton fans on Barkley transfer news

These EFC supporters raged as the transfer news was shared on Twitter:

“No! Just No!!”

Credit: @SteveB84

“If true, this club is a doormat.”

Credit: @hehitthepost

“Nnnnnnnnnnnooooooooooooooo”

Credit: @joeyslittertray

“It’s going to be the worst swap loan deal in history…”

Credit: @BigWoodsey

“Just fold the club”

Credit: @therealAfB13

“I can’t do this anymore #SackTheBoard #RafaOut”

Credit: @GeorgeWoodEFC

In other news, find out what other transfer news has Evertonians fuming here!

Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford didn’t miss the Whites’ 3-2 win over West Ham through injury, according to journalist Phil Hay.

The Lowdown: Famous win for Leeds

Marcelo Bielsa’s side picked up an enormous three points on Sunday afternoon, battling their way to a fantastic victory at the London Stadium. Jack Harrison stole the show with a well-taken hat-trick but it was a superb team effort overall from Leeds, who dug deep in the absence of numerous key players.

One man who didn’t feature against the Hammers was Bamford, with the 28-year-old playing only once since the middle of September because of injury problems.

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The Latest: Hay gives positive Bamford update

Taking to Twitter after the West Ham game, Hay confirmed that Bamford didn’t miss out with an injury, with Bielsa instead exercising caution on his use of the striker given how much of the season he has missed.

The journalist revealed: “Bamford isn’t injured but in the end, Bielsa thought it would have been ‘premature’ to use him.”

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The Verdict: Season-changing return?

If Bamford is not injured, as Hay claims, then he should soon be set to return to action for Leeds for the first time since the clash against Brentford in early December. That could be huge for the Whites, considering how influential he had been last season, scoring 17 times and registering seven assists in the Premier League.

His end product should certainly make the team more potent but it is his all-round game which has also been greatly missed, from his link-up play to his work ethic.

Getting Bamford back on the pitch will give Leeds a very different look, and his 2020/21 return suggests that he can be the man to ensure that they pull away from any potential relegation scrap in the coming months.

In other news, Leeds have been given hope in their quest to sign one midfielder this month. Find out who it is here.

Pundit Paddy Kenny has been reacting to an update regarding Newcastle United forward Allan Saint-Maximin, Football Insider report.

The Lowdown: Summer exit?

Saint-Maximin has been a regular for the Magpies this season, making 30 appearances in all competitions.

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The 25-year-old has been deployed as a left-winger under Eddie Howe and has contributed to eight Premier League goals.

However, according to The Daily Mail, his days at St. James’ Park could be numbered. They believe that Newcastle are ready to sell the French forward over the coming months and would accept a bid in the region of £50m.

The Latest: Kenny reacts

Talking to FI following the update on Saint-Maximin, Kenny labelled £50m as ‘crazy money’ and admitted he’d be ‘surprised’ if the Magpies didn’t accept an offer in that region, should one arrive.

“£50million, that’s crazy money.

“For a man who has scored five goals this season? For an attacking player, it’s not good numbers.

“I know Newcastle don’t need to £50million but if that offer was on the table, they would take it.

“You can invest that in a player who will provide more goals and assists.

“I would be surprised if Newcastle didn’t accept an offer like that.

“There are quality players out there who you could get for £50million who will get you more goals than that.

“I know he’s good to watch but you need results in this business and that is a lot of money to turn down.”

The Verdict: Keep?

A £50m move away would make him Newcastle’s most expensive departure of all time, surpassing the £36.9m fee Liverpool paid for Andy Carroll.

However, Saint-Maximin appears to be a key player for the Magpies, with Howe admitting in the week that he has a ‘great relationship’ with the attacker, adding that he ‘has a long-term future at the club’.

The 25-year-old appears to be at the peak of his powers with a career-high Transfermarkt valuation of £28.8m, so the best of Saint-Maximin could yet be to come, possibly making him a key player to build a team around in an attacking sense.

In other news: ‘At the moment’ – Transfer insider says NUFC ace will only be a ‘rotation’ player next season. 

Antonio Conte must consider offloading one of Tottenham Hotspur’s struggling stars this January as he looks to change their fortunes in north London…

January approaching

The winter transfer window will be the first true sign of what the ‘Conte era’ could look like at Spurs as he’ll be able to make some additions of his own and perhaps shift on those that he does not want at the club.

Currently, his 3-4-3 system only accommodates a certain number of players, so some may find themselves frozen out as an unfortunate consequence of the Italian’s tactics.

Furthermore, the north London outfit have to be somewhat realistic, meaning they may well have to sell before they buy, at least if the 52-year-old and sporting director Fabio Paratici are looking at multiple additions.

Someone who could fit the bill as a potential money-spinner is Giovani Lo Celso, who has failed to set the ground alight in over two years at the club.

Lo Celso’s struggles

Indeed, the Argentina international cost a joint-club-record £55m in August 2019, arriving from LaLiga outfit Real Betis and with Christian Eriksen’s contract situation rumbling on in the background, there was huge hope that he would be the natural heir to his playmaking throne.

But that has not been the case, despite glimpses of promise.

Across 79 appearances for Spurs, the £25m-rated attacking midfielder has only provided eight goals and five assists, averaging a direct goal contribution once every 338.5 minutes – or once every six games, as per Transfermarkt.

When your supposed creative influence isn’t delivering in a shorter space of time than every six games, especially when leading the squad for key passes per 90 (2.1) this term, then it’s a problem and it suggests that the player isn’t performing to a good enough standard.

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For comparison, Eriksen managed a goal or assist every 151.6 minutes across six-and-a-half years in N17.

The 25-year-0ld has been a passenger at times, coasting through matches without any sort of involvement, and elements of his game have been woefully poor, such as at set-pieces. It’s been so disappointing that even a social media account highlighting his mistakes has emerged in recent months.

When you consider the amount chairman Daniel Levy paid for him over two years ago and his reported £100k-per-week wages, then the Argentine has cost the club around £850k per appearance, around £5.2m per contribution, and around £8.3m per goal.

It’s hard to argue against him being one of the biggest flops of recent times.

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For instance, Dele Alli often cops a lot of flak and is even thought to be one player that is available for transfer in January, per The Athletic, but he should not be sold over someone like Lo Celso, based on the above evidence.

Even more so as Conte has publicly revealed his admiration for the Englishman, who was frozen out by both Jose Mourinho and Nuno Santo, whilst another former manager, Tim Sherwood, has backed Alli to become the main no.10 under the Italian.

At just 25, Lo Celso could offer some sort of value if there are any interested parties this January and as such, he must be ruthlessly axed by Conte.

AND in other news, Spurs eye “explosive” £34m-rated gem likened to Lampard, he’s way better than Lo Celso…

Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita could be ruled out of the Reds’ Premier League clash with Watford after failing to recover from injury.

The Lowdown: Reds return to action

Jurgen Klopp’s men are back in action after the international break, as a relentless April begins in the hunt for an unprecedented quadruple.

Liverpool host Watford on Saturday lunchtime knowing that victory over the Hornets will put them two points clear at the top of the table, for the time being at least.

While the Reds’ injury situation is largely positive, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s hamstring is a big question mark, with Klopp saying it will be “tight” to get the England international back in time for Saturday’s early kick-off.

Now, it appears the playmaker extraordinaire isn’t the only issue…

The Latest: Keita ruled out

As confirmed by journalist James Pearce on Twitter, Jurgen Klopp has revealed that Keita didn’t train on Thursday, suggesting he won’t be available unless a full recovery was made behind the scenes on Friday:

“Klopp on Keita: ‘Naby couldn’t train yesterday, we will see how it is for today.'”

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The Verdict: Hugely frustrating

Keita’s entire spell at Liverpool has been injury-plagued, with the Guinean limited to just 63 starts in nearly four seasons, in all competitions.

He has been afforded a two-week period to stay fit and not go on international duty, yet he is still the one player who looks set to be out of contention with another niggling problem.

The more Keita’s time at Anfield goes on, the more it feels as though he will never stay fit for a genuinely prolonged run in the team, failing to reach his undoubted potential in the process. Liverpool need him in the title run-in, so the hope is that it is nothing serious.

In other news, Liverpool are eyeing up a move for one exciting attacking player. Find out who it is here.

Flocking to Twitter, Manchester City fans have expressed mixed feelings over an update in the Dusan Vlahovic saga.

A whole host of Premier League clubs are reportedly interested in securing the services of the Serbia international, including the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. However, it is reported that if Vlahovic were to move to an English side, it would be to either Chelsea or Manchester City.

The 21-year-old has been in breath-taking form this season, scoring 16 goals in 20 league games for Fiorentina, and he has also netted seven times in 14 games for his country.

The 6 foot 3 youngster also bagged 21 Serie A goals last term, seemingly getting stronger with each passing campaign.

Man City fans react to Vlahovic news

The report from TuttoMercatoWeb (shared by Sport Witness and City Xtra) claims that only four clubs could sign the striker this summer – Barcelona, Juventus, Chelsea and Manchester City.

Flocking to Twitter, lots of Manchester City fans have expressed a variety of reactions in response to the news shared by City Xtra, that explains how Vlahovic would only accept City or Chelsea if he were to choose to move to the Premier League.

Here’s what some of them had to say, with some preferring a move for Erling Haaland…

“LETS DO IT MAN CITY”

Credit: @DeBlueLou

“Haaland should be the main target but Vlahovic ain’t bad too”

Credit: @fodenszn78

“I’ve accepted defeat: Haaland is [unfortunately] joining Real Madrid. That means we’ve got to be all-over Vlahovic this summer”

Credit: @RealTalkMCFC

“Bring him to the Etihad”

Credit: @MtMcfc

“Vlahovic is my first choice striker in the summer. And that’s including Haaland. In the long run, I think Vlahovic would benefit this team more”

Credit: @Bum2879

“We better at least try to get him”

Credit: @SilkyCyrus_74

“I really want him but he does not fit our system I think we will go to Kane again unfortunately”Credit: @iJoca21

Everton have been drawn to face Championship side Hull City in the third round of the FA Cup. 

The tie will be played at The MKM Stadium between the 7th and 10th of January.

Hull are struggling

Everton have already suffered an upset at the hands of second-tier opposition this season – back in September, Queens Park Rangers knocked them out of the EFL Cup on penalties.

But while QPR are in the play-off places, Hull find themselves down in 19th place. They’re only six points above the relegation zone as the season nears its halfway point.

Can Everton finally end trophy drought?

The FA Cup was the last major trophy won by Everton, way back in 1994/95.

They got within one game of the semifinals at Wembley last season, only to be downed by Manchester City.

The Toffees haven’t been knocked out of the competition by lower-league opposition since 2011 though, when Reading won at Goodison Park.

Everton’s official Twitter account relayed news of the draw, and here’s what supporters made of it, with plenty of pessimism due to the club’s brutal and ongoing trophy drought…

These Everton fans far from optimistic ahead of Hull clash

“[checks where Hull is in the Championship… 19th]. Well, so much for the FA Cup…”

Credit: @dtaylor334

“Oh well, there’s always next season”

Credit: @AndyBlueWalker

“Congratulations Hull”

Credit: @OwenJH_

“We’re getting mauled by the tigers”

Credit: @Manners16

“Hull licking their lips”

Credit: @sludvigs

“Hull away? Well. We had a good run”

Credit: @FoximusPrime81

In other news, fans flocked to this Alex Iwobi revelation.