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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.

[freshpress-quiz id=“383507″]

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.”

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-31/” title=”Latest Leeds United news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

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.

Everton believe it is too soon to start Tyler Onyango in the Premier League, according to The Athletic’s Greg O’Keeffe.

The lowdown

O’Keeffe’s colleague Patrick Boyland considered the possibility that first team opportunities would arise for the young midfielder in the wake of Abdoulaye Doucoure’s injury. He is said to boast a similar profile to the Frenchman and has been described as a ‘machine’ by his former under-18 coach Paul Tait.

He has only previously made one senior appearance for the Blues, and that came as a late substitute in the FA Cup fourth round meeting with Sheffield Wednesday last season.

Toffees assistant manager Duncan Ferguson is thought to be an advocate of Onyango, but Rafael Benitez has overlooked him for each matchday squad since the 18-year-old returned from his own injury lay-off.

The latest

Ahead of Everton’s clash with Tottenham on Sunday, a Toffees supporter suggested in a Q&A for The Athletic that Benitez should try a midfield three of Onyango, Fabian Delph and Allan.

However, O’Keeffe responded to that claim by saying: “The feeling is that Onyango isn’t ready yet.”

The verdict

It may not simply be a question of ability. Indeed, the 18-year-old’s comeback performance against Leeds United under-23s on 18 October was adjudged to be of a Premier League standard.

Onyango’s recent injury sidelined him for six months, so perhaps there are lingering physical concerns less a month on from his return. Also, as explained above, he has just one senior appearance to his name, so it could be risky to throw him in at the deep end of top-flight football, especially with Everton taking just two points from their last five matches.

Benitez instead looked to Delph against Spurs, handing him a first league start of the season. The former Aston Villa player justified his manager’s faith, winning the club’s man of the match award.

In other news, some Everton fans slammed this man’s performance against Spurs

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…

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. 

Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton have reportedly made an offer to sign Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot.

A report from Italian outlet Calciomercato has talked about Rabiot’s situation at Juve, also stating that Manchester United have been offered the chance to sign the Frenchman.

‘Offer has arrived’ from Everton

Calciomercato claimed that, while Rabiot did score Juve’s goal against Lazio in Serie A recently, he has been discussed by the Bianconeri when it comes to the summer transfer window. He hasn’t managed to dispel doubts about himself since joining the Serie A champions and the report added that, in recent months, an offer has arrived for the Toffees. Ancelotti has been credited as the manager who helped Rabiot launch his career at Paris Saint-Germain, having blooded him into the Parisians’ first team during the 2012/13 season.

The article also claims that Juve have proposed the former PSG man to Manchester United in a deal which could potentially bring Paul Pogba back to Turin, if United agree to sign Rabiot.

The 25-year-old has scored two Serie A goals this season, playing 21 times in the division. He has one assist each in the Champions League and Coppa Italia and is currently valued at £28.8m by Transfermarkt.

Everton have too many midfield options

As things stand, Everton have as many as five central midfield options, along with Fabian Delph. Gylfi Sigurdsson can also play in central midfield (Transfermarkt).

Considering Rabiot’s value of £28.8m, he wouldn’t come cheap, so unless some of Everton’s midfielders leave, signing Rabiot would not make a great deal of sense for Ancelotti’s men.

In other news, one Everton player could be set to leave in the summer – read more here.

Sky Sports have dropped a live TV update on new Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag.

The Lowdown: Official announcement

The Red Devils first spoke to the Dutchman last month and have now confirmed the 52-year-old as their new manager.

Ten Hag will replace Ralf Rangnick in the summer and has penned a deal through to June 2025 at Old Trafford, with United having the option to extend that by a further 12 months.

The club pointed out that a move is subject to work visa requirements, and Sky Sports have been speaking to ‘people close to Ten Hag’ following the announcement.

The Latest: Sky Sports claim

Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol was speaking live on Wednesday, relayed by Football Daily, after talking to those close to Ten Hag ‘in the past few minutes’.

Solhekol revealed that Ten Hag has been told the first things he needs to do by United – ‘stop the rot’ and to ‘get Manchester United to play the way United are supposed to play’.

The Verdict: Summer rebuild required

Ten Hag is going to have an extremely busy first summer at Old Trafford, both on and off the training pitch looking for immediate results.

Up to 12 players could reportedly leave over the coming months and the new boss may have £200m to spend on new players, with Harry Kane, Declan Rice, Darwin Nunez and Ruben Neves four targets for Ten Hag.

He’ll be looking to get key incomings and outgoings finalised as soon as possible, which will allow him to work with a fresh squad for pre-season, looking for instant results when it comes to a playing style at the beginning of the 2022/23 campaign.

In other news: ‘Revolution begins’: Fabrizio Romano now shares key Man Utd exit news emerging from Old Trafford. 

Tottenham Hotspur boss Jose Mourinho is chasing a new central defender this transfer window, according to reports…

What’s the word?

And Sky Sports Germany have linked the north London outfit with a move for Schalke 04 colossus Ozan Kabak as the Bundesliga side are in a sticky situation financially.

It is claimed that the 20-year-old has a release clause of €40m (£36m), but they are unlikely to receive such a fee due to the financial implications from the pandemic.

AC Milan have previously submitted an offer, though it’s thought that the Turkish centre-back would welcome a move to the Premier League with defending champions Liverpool also keen amid their defensive injury troubles.

Van Dijk 2.0?

He may well be inclined to make the move to Merseyside over London due to his admiration for Reds monster Virgil Van Dijk, a player that Kabak idolises and models his game on.

This should only be more reason for Daniel Levy to make the move before anyone else – he is averaging 4.3 aerials won, 3.6 clearances, 1.4 dribbles and one tackle per game this term, via WhoScored.

It is in his imposing presence driving out from the back that bears the best similarities to the Dutch game-changer.

Perhaps it’s no surprise to see the Turkey international likened to Sergio Ramos in that sense. Bundesliga.com wrote: ‘Kabak has a sound in-game radar and a deceptively quick turn of pace. Powerful in the air and with a great sense of timing.’

Whilst former Villa midfielder, now Stuttgart sporting director, Thomas Hitzlsperger dubbed Kabak a “role-model,” he said:

“It’s incredible how worldy-wise he is for his age. It’s astonishing. I see him every day and am amazed at how he mature he is. He wants to know everything; he wants to learn German right away and understand everything. That’s the kind of attitude we need. He’s already a role model, despite his age.”

Mourinho can force Davinson Sanchez closer to an exit with this move too. The 24-year-old has failed to make nine of their last 11 squads in the Premier League and is heavily out-of-favour.

The Athletic believe he would be open to leaving N17 this month, so it could well be the case of Sanchez out and Kabak in, and that would be quite the impressive switch.

Just maybe the leader-like Schalke sensation can have a similar impact to that of Van Dijk at Anfield.

AND in other news, Special £62m-rated enigma has become Mourinho’s sacrificial lamb…

West Brom striker Charlie Austin has no future at the Baggies, according to recent claims.

The Telegraph’s John Percy claims Sam Allardyce will listen to offers for the 31-year-old striker this month to free up some wages as they also close in on the signing of Robert Snodgrass from league rivals West Ham.

Austin has been restricted to just 133 minutes of Premier League action this term and even after the injury blow to Karlan Grant, his manager opted for Callum Robinson instead.

Despite finishing their promotion season as Albion’s joint top-goalscorer, the former QPR talisman seems destined to leave the Hawthorns having cost just £4m only 18 months ago.

But an instant replacement for Austin seems unlikely given the financial situation in the Midlands – Percy states in his article that ‘moves for players who will cost in excess of £2 million are rated as seriously doubtful.’

Therefore, it might be wise for Allardyce to dip into the U23 squad for a cheap and quick solution, especially with Grant scheduled to miss the next six weeks with a broken foot.

And he could do no wrong in giving a promotion to Chiekh Diaby, who according to the Express & Star, could head out on loan this transfer window.

West Brom managed to secure the 20-year-old’s services ahead of La Liga side Valencia, which is certainly quite a coup considering they were in the Championship at the time.

Diaby came through at the prestigious Le Harve academy where the likes of Paul Pogba, Dimitri Payet and Lassana Diarra first made their names.

Academy boss Richard Stevens has been impressed with the youngster, claiming that he’s “a powerful boy, he’s going to score goals, he’s going to give defences a problem because of his physicality.”

The French forward has been in red-hot form for the youth squad too, scoring six goals in nine appearances in the Premier League 2, including five goals in as many outings, per Transfermarkt.

Albion themselves are known for breeding through the next best thing, so Big Sam must continue that trend and save the club millions in doing so, should Austin depart this month.

AND in other news, Exclusive: Sam Allardyce urged to bring £65k-p/w “handful” to West Brom

Chelsea could try to bring Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah back to Stamford Bridge this summer in a sensational swoop, if Bild journalist Christian Falk is to be believed.

Falk reports that Salah ‘is on the shortlist’ of Thomas Tuchel and Champions League finalists Chelsea ahead of the transfer window.

Chelsea paid £14.85million to sign Salah from FC Basel in January 2014, but after just 19 appearances and two goals, he was sold to AS Roma for a £1million loss.

Salah has apparently been identified as a possible target, alongside Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland another former Blue, Romelu Lukaku.

Could Chelsea really be after Salah?

Chelsea may feel as if they need more firepower; £45million signing Timo Werner is their top scorer but he’s only managed 12 goals in all competitions.

Salah is about to enter the final two years of his contract and has said his future is in Liverpool’s hands.

The Londoners have lured a Reds superstar to Stamford Bridge before let’s not forget – in 2011, they paid a then-record £50million to sign Fernando Torres.

Liverpool fans react to Falk’s Salah revelation

“They have the funds”

Credit: @Bishop_Yayo_

“Is this 2011 again?”

Credit: @essinem7

“FSG would drop him off”

Credit: @ZakLFC7

“Not good news, but I think Salah knows from previous experience that he’d be better off elsewhere, even without Mourinho at the club”

Credit: @LFCdiscord

“Whatttt!!”

Credit: @SharafJuhayr

“If FSG is truly sorry, they will do everything they can to keep Mo. We’re in the mid-table without him”

Credit: @Dionasauruss

“Have I gone back in time?”

Credit: @lfcxcathal

In other news, Liverpool have joined the race to sign this 26-year-old Serie A star.

This summer has the potential to see a whole merry-go-round of change at Celtic. Neil Lennon has already left while it’s just months before Peter Lawwell retires.

With a potential 12-man exodus of the playing staff, it only heightens their need to not only find a new manager but also identify the correct director of football swiftly.

First on the agenda will be sorting out the dressing room and working out how to keep the talented Odsonne Edouard and Kristoffer Ajer at the club. Both have been linked with moves away and it feels only inevitable that at least one of them will depart.

Edouard has been the club’s top scorer for a number of years in a row now while Ajer is the backbone of Celtic’s defence. Losing both, therefore, would be incredibly bad news.

Considering how poor the Hoops’ defence has been this term, replacing Ajer seems more achievable than finding the heir to Edouard’s throne.

Indeed, the club almost found the centre-back’s successor during the winter window. On deadline day, Celtic made a late move to try and sign Tottenham defender Japhet Tanganga on loan.

Jose Mourinho ultimately blocked the transfer and he stayed south of the border. That being said, if Ajer does walk through the Parkhead exit door, the Bhoys should consider reviving their interest in Tanganga.

A talented defender, the 21-year-old from Hackney is a versatile individual. Like Celtic’s Norwegian colossus, Tanganga is capable of playing at right-back and in the centre of defence.

Ajer feels more at home in the middle and that’s where the Spurs youngster could star if he makes the move to Glasgow.

He’s relatively untested at the top level but we’ve already seen shades of immense qualities in big games. Tanganga made his Premier League debut for Spurs against Liverpool at right-back, a match the Lilywhites ultimately lost 1-0.

Though, the youngster stood out by winning two aerial duels and two tackles. Speaking after the game, talkSPORT’s Tony Cascarino commented: “Paul McGrath he reminded me of. The way he played. He runs with pace and you can tell he sees things quickly, he gets there. He made a couple of last-ditch challenges.”

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-celtic-manager-hunt-stories-wagner-marsch-martinez-lennon-news” title=”The last stories on Celtic’s hunt for a new manager!”]

Tanganga then shone at left-back just a couple of weeks later when Spurs defeated Manchester City 2-0. On that occasion, the defender won three aerial battles, made four tackles and completed three interceptions.

Similarly to Ajer, the £25k-per-week earner is a robust unit, one capable of dominating even the highest calibre attacks.

He’d make a first-class replacement for the Norway international if Nick Hammond can complete a deal. He is young, confident and a real weapon at the back.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Turnbull: Celtic must swoop for 35-goal star who’s “impossible to beat”…