Chelsea manager Graham Potter hasn’t had things all his own way recently, with the club not winning a Premier League match since October but the World Cup break will give him time to assess his squad and target potential new signings.

He already appears to be busy, with the Sun reporting that Chelsea are scouting England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford at the World Cup as a potential replacement for Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy, with Potter seemingly not sure on either of them.

The £71m Spaniard has played just 40 times since the start of the 2020/2021 season, with Mendy being the preferred option, but it appears both may be cast aside to make room for Pickford.

That’s despite Kepa’s renaissance period this term with his “special” goalkeeping – as hailed by Nizaar Kinsella – seeing him start to repay his enormous price tag.

In comparison, the Everton ‘keeper is valued at just €20m (£17m) by the CIES Football Observatory and with his contract expiring in just 18 months’ time, Potter may be able to force Frank Lampard’s hand and secure the player for a knockdown price, especially if he has no intention of signing an improved deal.

The 28-year-old has been at Everton since 2017 when he joined from Sunderland in a £30m move, making him the third most expensive stopper ever at the time.

Since the beginning of the 2020/2021 season, the England number one hasn’t exactly had the greatest of times, keeping just 20 clean sheets in 84 matches, while in the same time period, Kepa has kept 19 clean sheets in just 40 matches.

Pickford, however, has showcased himself in recent years. Indeed, he was described as “faultless” by Everton coach Alan Kelly following England’s Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy and if he could bring his form at international level to Chelsea, he would be an astute signing for the Blues.

He kept five clean sheets in England’s run to the aforementioned final last year, conceding just two goals during the competition and Potter will be watching him closely in Qatar.

Despite conceding two goals against Iran in England’s opening 6-2 victory, Pickford didn’t have much to do throughout and bigger tests await. If he does impress, January might be an interesting time for the Everton ‘keeper with the 6 foot 1 ace primed to potentially replace Kepa at Stamford Bridge.

West Ham United fans were not happy with David Moyes’ decision to take Said Benrahma off during their 2-1 Premier League defeat against Crystal Palace. 

The Lowdown: Last-gasp defeat for West Ham

Benrahma put the Hammers ahead with 20 minutes on the clock, only for Wilfried Zaha to score an equaliser minutes before halftime.

In the dying breaths of the game, the visitors scored a last-gasp goal through Michael Olise to snatch the three points.

Despite this late sucker punch, it was an off-field decision that riled up some West Ham fans during the game.

The Latest: Off-field fan fury

Just after the hour-mark, West Ham manager David Moyes decided to make a double substitution, with the removal of Benrahma not going down well with some supporters.

In a Twitter post, Thomas had this to say on the situation.

He said: “[Manuel] Lanzini and [Flynn] Downes replace Benrahma and [Tomas] Soucek. Loud boos for Benrahma’s substitution. Home crowd are singing his name. #WHUFC” 

The Verdict: A frustrating day for West Ham

While it was the Algerian that got the home side in front, it’s easy to see why some West Ham fans were not happy with Moyes’ decision to take him off.

However, bearing in mind how the goal was the only attempt Benrahma had to score and failed to successfully complete the two dribbles he attempted, it’s easy to see why the West Ham manager chose to take him off.

The winger ultimately ended the game with fewer touches of the ball (23) than goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski (46).

The changes the Scotsman made didn’t help his side seal the victory, leaving him and everyone else connected to the club with a real frustration over how the match panned out.

Moving forward, with a Carabao Cup clash against Blackburn Rovers in midweek followed by their final league game before the World Cup break against Leicester City at the weekend, everyone at West Ham will want to put today’s crushing defeat behind them and win those two games.

West Bromwich Albion could be set to ship out one of their youngsters on loan, despite their misfiring front line…

What’s the latest?

As per Birmingham Live, the Baggies are preparing a number of youngsters for development moves in January, with Reyes Cleary mentioned amongst two others – Zac Ashworth and Ethan Ingram – who could leave.

Although Carlos Corberan had reportedly claimed there was no focus on incomings, the recent form will have alleviated some of the pressure to allow him to perhaps look ahead.

This could explain the potential exit for the young striker, who surely could offer something more than what Karlan Grant or Brandon Thomas-Asante have done this season.

Corberan must unleash him

Perhaps instead of shipping Cleary out to an EFL club, the Spaniard should instead choose to unleash the 18-year-old marksman who has proven himself a fine goalscorer at youth level.

Just this season alone he has bagged 11 times in seven Premier League 2 matches, yet this has only earned him 55 minutes of Championship football.

This follows up a campaign where the 6 foot 1 sensation made that step up with ease, after scoring 18 times in 14 U18s matches, before finding the net a further seven times in 15 outings for the U23s.

This clinical excellence in front of goal led Steve Bruce to label him a “natural finisher” who “smashes it in the goal”. This powerful proficiency is exactly what they have been lacking.

It is clear that even despite his youth, academy football seems below him.

However, the main reason why he should be given a chance relates more to the disappointment of his peers than his blistering form.

Their £15m man Grant has just three goals in 17 Championship games so far, whilst the summer signing of Thomas-Asante has only managed the same amount in five fewer games.

Regardless, neither is form worthy of a nailed-on spot in the side.

Therefore, there is little risk for Corberan to perhaps start integrating Cleary when this enforced break is over.

It could save the club millions, potentially unearthing a star striker to lead the line for the foreseeable future.

Aston Villa have made their interest in Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino public…

What’s the latest?

As per the Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo (via Sport Witness), Unai Emery would “love to take” the Spaniard to Villa Park in January.

Boasting a €60m (£55m) release clause, he still has two years left on his £65k-per-week deal and could be tempted to join up with his compatriot.

The financial power of the Midlands outfit is reported as “indisputable”, however, it will be a tough deal to make following the World Cup’s commencement.

Big Luiz upgrade

With Douglas Luiz also linked with a move to La Liga, it could mark a wonderful switch around for the new boss.

Barcelona have been sniffing around the Brazilian who boasts 127 games for Villa and has been a mainstay in their midfield since his move from Manchester City.

Despite his recent contract extension, Emery could look to push him out the door in favour of Merino, who has starred in La Liga.

The 26-year-old offers everything a manager would want from a midfielder, with an eye for goal and creativity merged with defensive steel.

This season alone has seen him notch eight goal contributions alongside his 2.4 tackles and 2.3 clearances.

It marks yet another campaign where he is averaging an impressive SofaScore rating, with his 7.24 outlining his current best-ever season for the Spanish outfit.

Although Luiz is an impressive force in the engine room, he pales in comparison to Merino.

The 24-year-old offers little defensively, with his main contribution being his consistency with the ball at his feet.  

His 85% pass accuracy is a vast improvement on the 77% of the former Newcastle United man, but that is about as far as it goes for Luiz’s upsides.

When discussing his own talents, Merino suggested that “I like to think I’m one of the best”, after his manager had conclusively dubbed him “the best player in the league.”

To swap the solid Luiz with this sensational counterpart would mark a massive upgrade that could complete Villa’s midfield alongside John McGinn.

It has been an interesting time of late for football coach Michael Beale. Having spent time with Chelsea, Liverpool and Sao Paulo as he learnt the ropes, he tasted great success alongside former Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard during their spell at Rangers, experienced the Premier League with a shortish spell at Aston Villa, and then took on the managerial role in his own right by making the switch out to Championship side Queens Park Rangers.

Long lauded as the tactical brains behind Gerrard’s Rangers operation that ended rivals Celtic’s run for ten straight Scottish Premiership titles in a row, Beale has had a good start to life at Queens Park Rangers. 21 games into the second tier campaign, Beale has overseen nine wins, four draws and eight defeats. Their goal difference as we sit through the domestic pause for the first ever winter World Cup out in Qatar is slightly in the positive, and with the league on its break, Queens Park Rangers sit in seventh place – tied with Millwall on 31 points as they battle to get into the Championship Play Off spots.

However, Queens Park Rangers fans could again see their season slightly derailed as given Beale’s success as a manager in his own right so far, allied to his previous ties at Rangers, following their decision recently to part company with Giovanni van Bronckhorst after an incredibly poor start by their standards that saw them drop out of the Champions League with six straight defeats and a domestic league campaign that sees them already trail Celtic by nine clear points, it looks like they want Beale to return to Ibrox and you would get good odds on betting sites of that happening.

Whilst most eyes are on the ongoing action at the World Cup and there are still plenty of free bet offers available, it was reported on Saturday evening that Rangers had now held talks with Beale about their managerial vacancy after they secured permission from the Loftus Road outfit to begin initial negotiations. Having spent three years at Ibrox his stock will still be high with their board and fans given the reputation he held, but he is not the only candidate they are looking at, although it is widely believed he is their number one pick and talks are apparently at an advanced stage.

With the break for the World Cup still in full force, the ideal choice for Rangers is to possibly make an appointment by the end of next week at the latest so their new gaffer has greater time to work with the squad in the hopes of having a more immediate impact for when the domestic season returns on December 15 with their evening tie against Hibernian on home soil.

Beale’s overall record is not bad for a first time manager but there will be those out there who have concerns about the 42 year old despite his previous association at the club, as Queens Park Rangers are on a run of four defeats from their last five games, but if Rangers do follow through with the appointment they will be hoping that is simply a blip if he does ultimately return to the Scottish game.

Photo by Unsplash

Newcastle United forward Matt Ritchie has ‘been told’ that he can leave the Premier League club in January, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The Lowdown: Bit-part player at Newcastle

The Magpies winger has been left out of Eddie Howe’s matchday squad for the last eight league games, with the 44-year-old revealing that the Scotland international has been suffering from a calf injury, hence his absence.

However, the 33-year-old’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season, and considering that he’s now viewed as more of a fringe player, it appears that the Tynesiders have made their stance on his future very clear.

The Latest: Ritchie free to leave

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones stated that Newcastle have made Ritchie aware that he will be put on the market in January, and it sounds like the winger won’t be short of potential suitors.

The journalist said: “I’ve been told that he is a player that has been told he can go in the New Year.

“I know there has been some interest from America, there are MLS clubs that like him, so that might be an avenue that opens up to him.”

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The Verdict: Correct call

Ritchie has been hailed as an ‘immense’ player by Josh Bunting, but whilst he has been a loyal servant over his six years at St James’ Park, now would be the right time for Newcastle to let him go.

The Gosport-born talent has only played one minute of league football this season, which shows that Howe doesn’t have a place for him in his first-team plans anymore.

PIF are reportedly planning to make a box-office signing in the winter, and cashing in on fringe players like Ritchie will only further help to fund new additions in the future.

Celtic defender Yuki Kobayashi ‘won’t be able to play’ for the club until January, according to journalist Sean Martin.

The Lowdown: Kobayashi announced

The Scottish Premiership champions announced the signing of the 22-year-old from Vissel Kobe on Wednesday after putting pen to paper on a five-year deal at Parkhead.

Ange Postecoglou has previously worked in Japan so will have a good understanding of the centre-back, and he is now set to link up with his fellow countrymen Kyogo Furuhashi, Reo Hatate, Yosuke Ideguchi and Daizen Maeda in Glasgow.

The Latest: Martin’s update

Taking to Twitter, Martin revealed that Kobayashi will officially make the switch next month, though won’t be eligible to participate in any games until the New Year as a result of having to wait until the actual transfer window opens before stepping onto the field. He wrote:

“Kobayashi won’t be able to play until January but club say he will join up with the team in December.”

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The Verdict: Jenz replacement

The Hoops are set to make a decision on the future of Moritz Jenz at the end of the season, so should they decide not to trigger his option to buy, Kobayashi could be a great long-term replacement.

The 6 foot gem has plenty of experience under his belt having made 123 senior appearances throughout his career and offers versatility having also operated at left-back (Transfermarkt).

Celtic have already kept a respectable six clean sheets this campaign, and that number is only likely to increase following Kobayashi’s highly anticipated arrival.

Marcus Rashford scored a brace as England comfortably saw off Wales 3-0 on Tuesday night to set up a World Cup round of 16 tie against Senegal.After a lacklustre first 45, the Manchester United winger smashed a free-kick past Leicester’s Danny Ward to open the scoring after 50 minutes, before Phil Foden tapped in Harry Kane’s cross at the far post just a minute later.A rejuvenated Rashford made it 3-0 with 68 minutes on the clock after some suspect goalkeeping from Ward, to ensure thatÂEngland would top the group and set up a tie with the African Cup of Nations holders on Sunday, while Rob Page’s side finished bottom.Gareth Southgate made four changes from the side that drew against the USA, as Kyle Walker, Jordan Henderson, Foden and Rashford came in for Kieran Trippier, Mason Mount, Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling.Kane kept his place in attack despite worries about the ankle knock he picked up in the 6-2 win over Iran, while James Maddison recovered from injury to feature on the bench.Meanwhile, Rob Page opted for a more attacking Welsh lineup, as only victory by a four-goal margin would be enough to send them through.Danny Ward came in for the suspended Wayne Hennessey in goal, while Joe Allen and Daniel James also started in place of Conor Roberts and Harry Wilson, as Page switched to a four-at-the-back formation.After a spell of possession, England carved out their first real opportunity with just under 10 minutes on the clock, as Kane slipped in Rashford, but the Manchester United man was slow to take his shot and Ward comfortably denied him.The 25-year-old looked to attempt to amend that miss in spectacular fashion when a deflected cross found him at the back post, but his overhead kick was well wide.While the Three Lions did put together a few nice passages of play towards the end of the first half, it was another disappointing display from Southgate’s men in Qatar, which did little to satiate frustrated fans on social media.Wales’ first shot in anger came just moments before the half-time whistle, as Joe Allen was found on the edge of the area, but his shot was never likely to trouble Jordan Pickford.Half time: Wales 0-0 England Southgate clearly gave his players the hairdryer treatment at half-time as England came out flying with two goals in the first 10 minutes of the second 45.Rashford and Foden swapped wings to great effect, as the latter went on a mazy run before being brought to a halt by Joe Rodon just outside the area, before the former stepped up to rocket a free-kick past the wrong-footed Ward.

Fans had barely stopped celebrating the first when the Manchester City wonderkid made it two, as Kane picked up the ball in a dangerous area after Rashford had robbed Ben Davies, as his cross found Foden unmarked at the back post, where he was left with a simple tap-in for his third goal in a Three Lions shirt.

The brakes were off after that, with England flying forward at will, and Rashford would grab his third goal of the tournament as he raced onto substitute Kalvin Phillips’ long ball before cutting inside and firing through the legs of Ward.

More chances would follow, as the Wales shot-stopper denied Rashford and Jude Bellingham as England threatened to run riot, but it would finish 3-0 to continue an unbeaten start for the Three Lions, and finish off a World Cup to forget for Wales.

Full Time: Wales 0-3 England

Arsenal have been handed a boost in their bid to bring Sergej Milinković-Savić to The Emirates.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Italian publication Corriere dello Sport (via Sport Witness), who claim that, after seeing their reported interest in a €60m (£52m) move for the SS Lazio central midfielder this summer lead nowhere, the Gunners’ excellent start to the 2022/23 Premier League campaign has made the club a ‘more tempting’ prospect for the 27-year-old.

The report goes on to suggest that there are rumours of Edu preparing a fresh €60m (£52m) plus Albert Sambi Lokonga bid for the Serbia international this winter, however, Claudio Lotito is believed to be holding out for a figure in the region of €100m (£86.5m) in order to part with Milinković-Savić.

Same level as De Bruyne

Speaking about the ability of Milinković-Savić back in October, Ciro Immobile stated his belief that the midfielder is “on the same level as Kevin de Bruyne”, and considering his returns for Lazio over the past year, it is not difficult to understand why the Italy centre-forward holds this belief of the 27-year-old.

Indeed, according to FBref, the £52m-rated talent currently ranks in the top 2% of midfielders in Europe’s big five leagues for non-penalty goals per 90, as well as the top 6% for non-penalty xG, the top 5% for shots, the top 2% for assists, the top 6% for xAG and the top 16% for shot-creating actions over the last 365 days – proving just how deadly the Serb is in the final third.

The £100k-per-week playmaker also impresses with the ball at his feet, with FBref also ranking the 36-cap international in the top 12% of midfielders for passes attempted per 90, as well as the top 16% for dribbles, the top 27% for progressive passes, the top 4% for touches in the opposition penalty area and the top 5% for progressive passes received over the past 12 months.

As such, it is no surprise to see FBref list the “magic” – in the words of Immobile – player amongst some of Europe’s most talented midfielders, such as Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde, Bayern Munich’s Leon Goretzka and Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne.

Indeed, with the Belgium international being the lynchpin in City’s four Premier League-winning campaigns over the last five years, should Edu manage to get a deal over the line for the 27-year-old in January, Milinković-Savić may prove to become Mikel Arteta’s own De Bruyne-esque figure.

That’s a statement that when combined with his remarkable haul of 11 goals and 12 assists from last term, could well lead them to the title.

Newcastle United will once again be represented at the upcoming World Cup, with a handful of the Magpies’ key men set to take to the field for their respective countries in the hope of achieving eternal glory.

The in-form trio of Callum Wilson, Kieran Trippier and Nick Pope have all been named in Gareth Southgate’s England squad, while centre-back menace Fabian Schar and midfield gem Bruno Guimaraes are set to link up with Switzerland and Brazil, respectively.

That stellar cast of talent will join a host of former Newcastle stars to have also featured on the global stage, with the Tynesiders having been blessed with an array of quality assets over the years.

With that in mind, it seems the ideal time to put your knowledge to the test regarding the club’s heroes – both past and present – who have featured previously at a World Cup, or are in line to do so in this latest edition.

To spice things up a bit, we’ll also be testing your transfer knowledge relating to those key assets – all you need to do is simply select the correct answer from the four choices available on each question below. Good Luck!