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Plenty of Aston Villa fans showered Marvelous Nakamba with praise during Saturday’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace.

Villa were looking to make it back-to-back wins under new manager Steven Gerrard after beating Brighton and Hove Albion 2-0 last time out.

The 41-year-old made two changes from his first game in charge as Danny Ings and Emiliano Buendia dropped to the substitutes’ bench, with Leon Bailey and Ashley Young replacing them. Nakamba duly kept his place in midfield alongside John McGinn and Jacob Ramsey.

Recapping Nakamba’s performance vs Palace

The 27-year-old picked up a SofaScore rating of 7.0/10 for his performance at Selhurst Park. He completed 32 of his 37 attempted passes and made three tackles and two clearances, along with winning four duels against the Eagles.

Here’s what these Villa fans made of the Zimbabwe international’s “amazing” display in south London.

These Villa fans delighted with Nakamba

“Villa Twitter has turned into Nakamba Twitter and rightly so”

Credit: @Harry90996614

“Nakamba on Kante levels today”

Credit: @_JackAvfc

“Nakamba and Mings been immense”

Credit: @ZacceryDoherty

“Nakamba is on fire. Like a new player!”

Credit: @NathanDawe

“Nakamba in this play style is amazing. Luiz will have to wait a bit longer to come back”

Credit: @AzariaJohnson14

“What’s Stevie done to Nakamba. Looks a different player #avfc”

Credit: @BenBarton90

“Nakamba should start every game. Him and McGinn are the perfect partnership”

Credit: @Astonxii

In other news, these Villa fans have a message for Gerrard after a tweet from the club

Everton manager Frank Lampard could be looking to reshape his team for next season if they stay in the Premier League, with midfielders Allan, Jean-Philippe Gbamin and Andre Gomes failing to really justify the combined £66.24m spent on them.

The Brazilian has averaged a disappointing 6.65 match rating this season from Sofascore, while Gomes has averaged an even worse 6.36. Indeed, Gbamin is not even at the club anymore after being sent on loan to Russian side CSKA Moscow.

With none of those three being crucial figures at Goodison Park, Lampard may be looking to replace them with better quality players, and a current France international is the latest midfielder to be linked with a move to Merseyside.

What’s the news?

According to transfer specialist Ignazio Genuardi, who was speaking to French website But Football Club, Everton have made contact in recent months with Juventus ace Adrien Rabiot, who is up for sale after failing to kick on in Turin and establish himself as an important player for the Bianconeri.

With his contract expiring at the end of next season and his valuation just £16.2m according to Transfermarkt, the Frenchman could be available at a bargain price in the summer.

Massive improvement on current options

Despite seemingly not being wanted by his current club, Rabiot has made a total of 47 appearances for club and country this season, remaining a key part of Didier Deschamps’ plans for France and often showcasing his ability in Serie A.

Averaging a 6.95 Sofascore rating in the Italian top flight this season, the 26-year-old has made 25 appearances, with 21 coming from the start, and has contributed two assists amid completing 83% of his passes per game.

Dubbed a “complete” player by former Juventus manager Andrea Pirlo, the former PSG prospect ranks highly. among midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues and continental competitions. As per FBRef, He is in the top 10% for successful pressures per game (7.29), the top 6% for tackles in the defensive third per 90 (1.70) and the top 8% for carries into the penalty area per 90 (0.52).

Rabiot is the definition of a box-to-box midfielder, and although at times he has come under criticism, he has demonstrated for a number of years that he can compete at the top levels of the game – and the statistics suggest that he would immediately improve a lacklustre Everton midfield.

His passing success rate this term is better than any Toffees midfielder except the on-loan Donny van de Beek, while his match average of 1.4 dribbles per game is second only to Demarai Gray in Lampard’s entire squad.

Those comparisons suggest that the Everton boss desperately needs a player of Rabiot’s quality at Goodison Park in order to add more thrust and ball-playing ability from midfield.

In other news: Moshiri suffered Everton howler over “clinical” 21-goal machine with “pure enthusiasm”

Tottenham have made a move to sign Lewes FC winger Ollie Tanner, according to The Athletic.  

The Lowdown: Tanner profiled

The 19-year-old has been labelled ‘special’ by his manager Tony Russell labelled as. The 6 foot 1 left winger is under contract until the end of the 2022/23 campaign, with his impressive form attracting interest from a number of Premier League clubs.

Brighton have had an offer rejected for the former Arsenal schoolboy, and it seems as if it will be Spurs who secure the teenager’s services.

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The Latest: Spurs’ bid set to be accepted

According to The Athletic, Spurs are looking to pip Brighton to Tanner’s services, having submitted an offer on Saturday.

Russell confirmed it was a ‘really good’ offer, with The Athletic believing that Lewes are set to accept Tottenham’s bid for the teenager.

Tanner has been training with Spurs over the last two weeks and it could now be just a matter of time until he is officially a Tottenham player.

The Verdict: Good news

Tanner is clearly a player in demand, so Spurs winning the race for his services can only be viewed as good news in the long run.

Even though Tottenham are in need of senior reinforcements in the final days of the transfer window, it’s good to see that the club are still working on bolstering their youth ranks.

The likes of Oliver Skipp and Japhet Tanganga are recent examples of players establishing themselves in the first team after coming through the academy, and maybe in the next few years, Tanner could be the next in line for that big breakthrough.

In other news: Check out this morning transfer development from Fabrizio Romano with Spurs now ‘confident to complete’ key signing.

As per club insider Claret & Hugh, a West Ham United transfer update has come to light involving boss David Moyes, Manchester United forward Jesse Lingard and owners GSB.

The Lowdown: West Ham eye Lingard move…

In what is potentially the worst kept secret of the January transfer window, Moyes has firmly set his sights on Lingard as a top target with multiple reliable sources confirming the club’s interest.

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Both ExWHUemployee and Jack Rosser of The Evening Standard both say that the England international is up there among Moyes’ top transfer agendas for the winter window.

Amid his precarious contract situation, with Lingard’s deal at Old Trafford set to expire at the end of 2021/2022, West Ham could sign him as a free agent in the summer or agree a cheap fee with the Red Devils in January.

The Latest: Insider shares Lingard update…

Sharing some information, insider Claret & Hugh explain that West Ham’s boss is indeed eyeing a Lingard move – going on to say that the Scotsman has personally told owners GSB that he wants to sign the player.

As well as this, the Irons source claims that ‘a move will be attempted’ as a result before the January transfer window shuts its doors.

The Verdict: Get it done?

The Lingard saga has been dragging on since the beginning of the winter window and last summer, yet his numbers suggest that he would be the perfect addition.

Racking up nine goals and four assists in just 16 Premier League starts, being called ‘sensational’ by former Arsenal man Nigel Winterburn, the 29-year-old was electric on loan with the Hammers last season.

His influence going forward would be major boost for Moyes as he aims to keep West Ham in the mix for a Champions League qualifying spot.

However, if this continues to drag on, we believe all efforts should be put towards signing a striker alternative to Michail Antonio.

In other news: Talks ongoing…ExWHUemployee shares promising update out of West Ham, find out more here.

Aston Villa journalist Ashley Preece says the club ‘like’ Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard, who could leave Old Trafford this month. 

The lowdown

Villa manager Steven Gerrard, who sits third in Liverpool’s all-time appearance list, has already done business with one of his former nemeses this January, with Lucas Digne arriving from the Reds’ local rivals Everton in a £27million deal.

Philippe Coutinho has also joined on loan from FC Barcelona, with goalkeeper Robin Olsen making a temporary switch from AS Roma.

At present, it’s relegation-threatened Newcastle United who are ‘pushing very hard’ to land Lingard, though The Red Devils are resisting their efforts to take him on loan. They would prefer a permanent deal for the £18million-rated asset.

Villa have trimmed their attacking ranks this month, allowing Anwar El-Ghazi and Jaden-Philogence Bidace to leave. With Trezeguet also potentially on the way out, you can understand why they might want another body.

The latest

In a fan Q & A, The Birmingham Mail’s Preece was asked whether Lingard would ‘be interested in coming’.

He replied: “Lingard is admired by Villa, I can say that,” before adding in a separate answer that “Villa like him”.

“Philogene-Bidace now heading to Stoke on loan, and Trezeguet looking to be loaned out, there could be scope but Newcastle are expected to step up their interest and take him this month rather than for free in the summer.”

The verdict

Newcastle seem determined to snap up Lingard, but negotiations are proving difficult, so maybe Villa will look to capitalise.

As long as United aren’t overly concerned by the optics of doing business with one of their arch-rivals’ legends, it could be doable.

Lingard may find the move more appealing, knowing that if he joins Newcastle, he could find himself looking for another transfer in the summer if they get relegated.

The Englishman notched 16 direct goal involvements in just half a season at West Ham, and he could help propel Villa into European contention in the next couple of seasons.

In other news, fans loved this confirmation from the club.

Jack Pitt-Brooke has revealed that Tottenham Hotspur are now eyeing four major signings this summer.

The Lowdown: Champions League uncertainty

Spurs are not guaranteed to finish in the UEFA Champions League places this season, given that they are currently three points behind fourth-placed Arsenal, who have a game in hand on their North London rivals.

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It would be more difficult to attract the calibre of player that they would want should they miss out, and they could also potentially lose some of their best players, with the likes of Harry Kane now being linked to big-spenders Newcastle United.

The Latest: Four signings eyed

Writing in his latest piece for The Athletic, Lilywhites journalist Pitt-Brooke has revealed that Antonio Conte’s team are now looking to make four major signings in the summer.

They reportedly want to bring in a new left-sided central defender, two wing-backs, and a back-up to Kane.

The Verdict: Exciting

It is certainly exciting for THFC fans that they seem to be looking to go on a spending spree this summer.

The likes of Omar Marmoush and Lautaro Martinez have been linked as striker options, while Ben Davies could become more of a squad member next season, meaning that a more natural centre-back will likely take his position on the left of a three-man defence.

Djed Spence has been strongly linked with filling in the right wing-back position at Tottenham, while at left wing-back, Sergio Reguilon has not always been in favour under Conte.

Nonetheless, it could be a new-look Spurs side built in Conte’s image by the end of the summer transfer window, which should surely excite the Lilywhites faithful.

In other news, find out who THFC have now held talks over signing here!

Liverpool’s UEFA Youth League line-up may have given clues as to who’ll be involved against FC Porto, The Athletic’s Simon Hughes writes. 

The lowdown

Liverpool are due to the face the Primeira Liga side on Wednesday night knowing that they’ve already secured progression to the Round of 16 as group winners.

That could give Jurgen Klopp the chance to rotate his side prior to the weekend’s Premier League clash with Southampton.

Klopp said in his pre-match press conference he would think about ‘ourselves, our schedule and the situation of our players’ when choosing his side.

The latest

Hughes points out that Marc Bridge-Wilkinson selected Kaide Gordon, Owen Beck and Connor Bradley for the Under-19s’ corresponding clash with Porto earlier in the day.

“I can’t see them playing tonight,” he says.

However, ‘interestingly’, Tyler Morton and James Balagizi are ‘not involved’ against the Portuguese side.

In theory, then, they should be available for the senior clash at Anfield.

The verdict

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Morton feature from the start in what is effectively a dead-rubber fixture.

The midfielder has played in both of Liverpool’s EFL Cup ties and made his Premier League debut last weekend with a brief run-out in the 4-0 victory over Arsenal (via Transfermarkt).

In his programme notes for Wednesday’s game, Klopp described the 19-year-old as ‘very special’.

Perhaps the signs are pointing towards a full Champions League debut.

In other news, fans react to the club’s January transfer decision.

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.

As per Italian news outlet Calciomercato, there has been an exit update out of Tottenham Hotspur involving big name player Tanguy Ndombele.

The Lowdown: Ndombele on the move?

Spurs’ club record signing from Lyon is yet again being linked with a move away from north London as manager Antonio Conte completes his squad evaluations and decides who he wants to keep or sell.

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The likes of Dele Alli and Steven Bergwijn have also been tipped to potentially exit the club before January 31, either on loan or permanently, with Ndombele firmly in that bracket as well.

The France midfielder was subject to intense booing from Spurs supporters after he casually left the field in their 3-1 FA Cup third round win over Morecambe last weekend.

Since then, reports have tipped Ndombele as one of the men no longer in Conte’s plans as transfer chief Fabio Paratici is potentially tasked with negotiating his sale.

Bringing the latest, Calciomercato have an interesting development.

The Latest: Napoli ‘working hard’ to seal Ndombele move…

As per the Italian news source, Serie A side Napoli are ‘working hard’ to sign the 25-year-old behind closed doors as they aim to ‘reinforce’ their midfield.

It is believed that Ndombele is ‘ready to say goodbye’ before deadline day with the player ‘rejected’ by Conte at Spurs.

The Verdict: Time to go?

The £200,000-per-week man undoubtedly has the ability to succeed at Tottenham, displaying his skills in flashes, but these past two and a half years at the club have also highlighted his lack of consistency.

Attracting criticism for his attitude and demeanour, Ndombele has been the subject of a possible exit from N17 for some time now, with The Times backing that he informed Tottenham of his desire to leave last summer.

As Conte seeks to guide the club into a new dawn, the 52-year-old will need all of his squad on side and working in unison to do so – highlighting the point that selling Spurs’ most expensive ever player may now be a necessity.

If Paratici and chairman Daniel Levy receive a suitable offer from Napoli or any other club, they should certainly entertain Ndombele’s exit this month.

In other news: ‘This will get Tottenham fans excited…’ – Sky Sports make N17 transfer claim live on air! Find out more here.

An update has emerged regarding Newcastle United’s pursuit of Inter centre-back Milan Skriniar.

What’s the talk?

According to The Daily Mail, the Magpies and Tottenham are both interested in a deal to sign the central defender in January.

CIES ranked him as the third-best defender in the world in 2021, behind Real Madrid’s David Alaba and Manchester City’s Ruben Dias.

The Daily Mail reacted to this by profiling some of the players in CIES’ rankings, mentioning in their section on Skriniar that Newcastle and Spurs have been looking at him.

Best signing since Wilson

The Toon Army fans will surely be delighted with this update as the defensive enforcer could be the club’s best signing since they landed Callum Wilson from Bournemouth last summer.

Joe Willock was the club’s only signing of the transfer window just gone and he has struggled to find his best form this season. He has averaged a dismal WhoScored rating of 6.45, with zero goals and zero assists to his name in 15 appearances.

In terms of permanent additions, Ryan Fraser, Wilson, Jamal Lewis and Jeff Hendrick came in during the 2020/21 campaign. Of those players, Wilson (6.84) was the only player to average a higher WhoScored rating than 6.38 in the Premier League.

The signing of Skriniar could, therefore, be the best move the club has made since they brought the hitman over from the Cherries. CIES’ report ranks him as one of the top players in world football and his statistics in the Serie A have been very strong, with the defender averaging a WhoScored rating of 6.99 across 16 starts.

His former under-17’s coach, Tibor Goljan, once hailed him, saying: “He has always been the leader on and off the pitch.”

It was reported earlier this year that Skriniar is competing with Nicolo Barella to be named the new club captain of Inter, highlighting his huge influence behind the scenes and in the changing room too.

The Slovakia international averaged a rating of 6.90 in the Serie A last term, playing 32 times, which shows that he also has consistency in his performances – stretching back to the start of last season. He has been previously described as an “absolute beast” and a “monster” by journalists David Amoyal and Siavoush Fallah, highlighting his defensive strength. 

Therefore, he could be a sublime signing for Newcastle as he appears to have the leadership skills off the pitch and the footballing ability on it to be a success in the Premier League. If Eddie Howe is able to get a deal over the line for the Inter gem then it could be their best addition since Wilson…

AND in other news, NUFC liability who lost 83% duels badly betrayed Howe, Shearer thinks he’s a “danger”…