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Frank McAvennie has urged Celtic to sign Jota on a permanent deal following his loan spell at Parkhead.

The Lowdown: Option to buy

As per a revelation from Sky Sports, the Hoops have an option to buy Jota in the summer for a transfer fee believed to be in the region of just over £6m, following his loan spell from Benfica.

He has enjoyed a fine start to life in Glasgow, scoring three goals and making a further four assists in nine games in total over all competitions so far this season (Transfermarkt).

The Latest: McAvennie on Jota

Speaking to Football Insider, former Celts striker now pundit McAvennie has urged his old team to complete the signing of Jota permanently, after what he has seen of the Portuguese so far:

“He’s a heart-throb, the ladies love him.

“Honestly, I would buy him tomorrow. Get that deal signed, new terms, pay rise, all of it. I would take him, for six million?

“It’s a no brainer, I would take him. He’s only going to get better. Six million is nothing in today’s day and age.

“He seems to be enjoying himself as well. That’s half the battle. He’s always smiling, even when Celtic aren’t winning.

“He symbolises that happy camp that we seem to have now, what a difference from last season.

“It’s all clicking and we’re seeing the best of Jota as a result.”

The Verdict: No brainer

McAvennie could not have put it any better, it is certainly a ‘no brainer’ for the Bhoys to sign Jota after his loan spell ends.

£6m in today’s market is an absolute steal for a 22-year-old with the ability and potential he boasts, and he has already shown that he knows where the goal is.

Jota also ranks highly among his teammates in terms of shots (3.8), key passes (1.8), and dribbles (one) per game in the Scottish Premiership so far this term (Whoscored), proving already to be a key player for Ange Postecoglou’s side.

In other news, find out who Celtic’s worst three players were against Ferencvaros here!

Everton are set to be without Ben Godfrey for the coming weeks after the Englishman was forced off in the early stages of the Toffees’ 4-1 FA Cup fourth-round win over Brentford.

What’s the latest?

According to new manager Frank Lampard, it isn’t sounding good. The 43-year-old said: “It’s a hamstring injury which is to be assessed.

“We’ll have to let it settle for two days and then scan it, not good. He’ll be missing for a period of time depending on the severity of the injury, but it’s a hamstring.”

The 24-year-old only lasted 14 minutes of the Englishman’s first game as Everton boss before suffering the injury, being replaced by Yerry Mina who later scored the first goal of the Lampard era.

Fans will be sweating

Having made the cut for his first game, it appears as though Godfrey will be high up the pecking order under the new Everton manager, at least would’ve been for the opening matches.

Moreover, Lampard opted to play a 3-4-3 formation against the Bees which means that he’ll need a handful of fit centre-backs available at all times to continue with the same set-up, which makes the defender’s injury a particularly hefty blow, one that will surely leave supporters sweating.

Although this season has been somewhat of a disaster so far for the Merseyside club, Godfrey has been a regular, making 17 Premier League appearances, having been out of the squad for the first three matches of the campaign.

In fairness, none of Everton’s centre-backs have been particularly great this campaign with the Toffees conceding 35 goals in their 21 league matches thus far.

Furthermore, the Blues have only mustered three clean sheets in their 24 matches across all competitions with their regular leakiness at the back something Lampard will have to see to immediately.

When it comes to matches played this season, only Michael Keane has played more at centre-back than Godfrey, playing 19 games in the top-flight.

There have certainly been glimpses of promise though from the former Shrewsbury defender after his move from Norwich City in October 2020 and, at 24, Godfrey will only improve.

In other news: One Everton ace proved Lampard wrong with an outstanding performance yesterday

Sky Sports pundit Kevin Phillips believes that new Celtic striker Georgios Giakoumakis can hit the ground running at Parkhead following his deadline day move from VVV-Venlo.

The Lowdown: Giakoumakis has enjoyed a sharp rise up the ranks

Rising from obscurity into the limelight last campaign, the Greece international finished the season as top scorer in the Eredivisie with 26 goals, despite his team plummeting to relegation [The Guardian].

Attracting attention from suitors around Europe, he completed a move to Celtic on transfer deadline day for £2.5m [The Scottish Sun] and he looks set to fill the void of former Hoops marksman Odsonne Edouard, who departed for Crystal Palace on the same day.

The Latest: Phillips believes Giakoumakis can get the Celtic support ‘excited’

Ever the fox in the box during his playing days, former Sunderland striker Phillips has now dropped his verdict on the 6 foot 1 ace.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Football Insider, the 48-year-old has been impressed by Giakoumakis, claiming: “I think they should be excited”.

Phillips then added: “I say it every week and again, this is no disrespect to the Scottish league, the Dutch league is probably on a par with it. Then you are coming into a club where they create opportunities left right and centre.

“They can score goals. If I’m a Celtic fan, I’m excited. You look at his record and see he can score goals.

“Those games against Rangers will be a struggle but the rest of the games we can do well. I would be excited.”

The Verdict: Celtic will be hoping Giakoumakis can continue his goalscoring exploits in Glasgow

Relating to the high volume of chances the Scottish giants usually create on a weekly basis – their 24.3 shots per game average is by far the highest in the Premiership [WhoScored] – Phillips provides an excellent explanation as to why Hoops fans should be excited about their new arrival.

Constantly providing a threat in attack, the 26-year-old averaged 3.2 shots per game in the Dutch top flight in 2020/21 [WhoScored]. Furthermore, his tendency to get on the end of crosses regularly will add another string to Ange Postecoglou’s bow in offense that the Hoops have perhaps lacked in recent times.

Moving forward, the Celtic support will be desperate to see Giakoumakis hit the ground running at Parkhead and will hope that his goalscoring exploits at VVV-Venlo can be replicated in Glasgow.

In other news, one club feared that Celtic could’ve made a late swoop for their new signing in the summer transfer window. Find out more here.

Speaking to Football Insider, BBC Radio 5 Live pundit Alan Hutton has been left in awe of a Tottenham Hotspur U-turn involving young defender Japhet Tanganga.

The Lowdown: Tanganga U-turn after dazzling City show…

Tottenham faced off against Premier League champions Man City on the opening Premier League weekend and Nuno Espirito Santo’s men pulled off a brilliant 1-0 win.

Tanganga in particular impressed in one-on-one displays against the likes of Raheem Sterling and Jack Grealish on that side, drawing praise from Nuno who labelled him ‘huge’.

This prompted a major U-turn from Nuno and Tottenham who are now set to keep the 22-year-old in north London for 2021/2022, coming after they were originally ‘set’ to loan him out (Football Insider).

The Latest: Hutton left in awe of U-turn…

Reacting to this news and Tanganga’s performance against the Sky Blues, former Spurs defender Hutton has been left in awe of the ‘unbelievable’ U-turn and ‘unbelievable’ display against City.

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“He has probably saved them a lot more than a couple of million,” he said to Football Insider.

“It wasn’t long ago that we were talking about him going out on loan. This is unbelievable and just shows you how football can change within a week.

“I’ve always thought he was a brilliant one-on-one defender, that’s his main strength.

“When he comes up against Sterling and Grealish, two of the best players in the league, he has more than held his own. He was unbelievable.”

The Verdict: So long Tomiyasu?

Spurs are reportedly continuing the chase for Bologna defender Takehiro Tomiyasu, despite the fact he is almost a carbon copy of Tanganga in terms of his versatility as a right-back and centre-half.

Both are exactly the same age as well, potentially leaving some to wonder why Tottenham need to sign the Japan international after all with Tanganga’s reemergence.

One of the main arguments you could make is against the Englishman’s injury record considering it isn’t exactly spotless from last season (Transfermarkt) – but there is reason to believe that Spurs may not need to bring in Tomiyasu.

Perhaps managing director Fabio Paratici would be better spent reinvesting that money in bolstering Tottenham’s attacking areas?

In other news: Offer incoming: Levy now readying Spurs bid to sign ‘amazing’ player who Nuno personally wants, find out more here.

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has suggested that he would rather Tottenham Hotspur win the Premier League than Manchester City and Liverpool, according to the Daily Star.

Spurs are third in the table, five points behind both the Blues and the Reds, who are separated only on goal difference.

What’s the word?

United sit fourth and play Liverpool this weekend, with the opportunity to issue a serious blow to Jurgen Klopp’s hopes of lifting the trophy in May.

However, they are seemingly out of the reckoning in the title race – they are nine points behind Spurs and 14 behind City.

It would take a significant collapse from the top three clubs for United to have any hope of being champions again and Solskjaer was asked on Friday who he would like to be crowned at the end of the season.

“I’ve not really focused on the [other] teams and what they’re doing,” Solskjaer said, per the Daily Star.

“I’m focusing on us and what we have to do to get to where we want to be.

“It’s a three horse race for the title and fourth that’s my focus.”

However, when asked if he would prefer that Spurs are the ones celebrating, he added: “I don’t get myself involved in that but maybe.”

An understandable long shot

Solskjaer is perhaps the personification of the United Way and this question will surely have riled him.

It is understandable, then, that he chose Spurs over his club’s eternal rivals City and Liverpool.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side have been in fine form this season but it is a long shot at best.

Spurs still have to play both Liverpool and City away from home but they will surely have to win every game between now and the end of the season if they are to have any chance of being champions.

Former Wigan & Fulham man, Jimmy Bullard recently showed that he’s still got it! Check out the video below…

It is not beyond the realms of possibility but it is incredibly unlikely.

Solskjaer, though, knows all about incredibly unlikely triumphs, having scored the winning goal in the last minute of the famed 1999 Champions League final.

Perhaps history will repeat itself and he will again get his wish.

Leeds United defender Robin Koch is expected to return to ‘serious training’ in around four weeks’ time, according to a fresh report which has emerged.

The Lowdown: Koch missing since opening weekend

The Whites lost 1-0 away to Southampton on Saturday afternoon as their disappointing start to the Premier League season continues.

Koch was among several key Leeds players who weren’t available, with the German ruled out since injuring his hip at Manchester United in the first game of the campaign.

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The Latest: Return edging closer

The 25-year-old has now undergone surgery in America and an update has been provided on his progress.

According to SPORT1 [via Sport Witness], Koch is aiming to be in full training in four weeks, with ‘rehabilitation training’ starting in the next 10 days.

That means his likely return to the pitch will come in November, although not until the back-end of the month, and even that depends on him not suffering any further setbacks in the meantime.

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The Verdict: Key for squad depth

Koch’s return will be vital for Marcelo Bielsa in terms of allowing him to rotate his squad as the fixtures become even more relentless in the winter months.

The £15.3m-rated German has been a miss in that respect, particularly with some of his defensive colleagues also succumbing to injuries in recent weeks, and the hope is that he can stay injury-free upon his return, helping Leeds get their season back on track.

In other news, Phil Hay has provided a key update regarding Raphinha’s Leeds future. Read more here.

Merry Christmas! We’ve created a Leeds United quiz to test your knowledge of the 2021/22 season so far – why not come and show us what an expert you are on the club!

The Whites are almost midway through their second year back in the Premier League, playing 18 times, but it has been a struggle so far. Marcelo Bielsa’s side are currently 16th in the table, with a relegation battle potentially on the cards and a glut of injuries not helping matters in the slightest.

All is not lost for Leeds, though, with their fitness woes hopefully easing soon and confidence possibly returning in the second half of the season.

We’ve decided to create a quiz to help get you through Christmas Day, should you be experiencing a lull from the excessive eating or tiring of talking to a distant relative!

There are 10 questions, so come and show how much you know about the Whites and be sure to share your scores on social media.

Good luck and Merry Christmas!

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!

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

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.