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As Manchester City sweat over the fitness of Kevin De Bruyne following their 1-0 FA Cup semi-final loss to Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday evening, many Sky Blues fans have erupted over the latest update from manager Pep Guardiola.

De Bruyne was hooked just after half-time following a collision with opposition midfielder N’Golo Kante as the Belgian appeared to land awkwardly on his own ankle.

The 29-year-old was immediately withdrawn from the contest after going down and was replaced by Phil Foden, but even the youngster’s introduction couldn’t propel City to a win as they bowed out of the FA Cup and surrendered hopes of an unprecedented quadruple.

Following the match, Guardiola provided an update on De Bruyne in what appears to be a negative outlook, with the Spaniard claiming that it ‘doesn’t look good’ for the Belgian (via Manchester Evening News).

Guardiola also said that De Bruyne ‘has pain’, with City now sweating on an official recovery estimate and waiting to see the full extent of the problem.

Flocking to the manager’s post-match update, many Sky Blues supporters feared the worst, with one unsurprisingly calling it “really bad news”:

Man City fans erupt over De Bruyne injury update

“We are done”

Credit: @Citizenani06

“Worst day of the season”

Credit: @WillHoskins16

“This pain just got worse”

Credit: @tonyychris

“Oh God please no”

Credit: @zamozamora34

“This day just gets even worse”

Credit: @mcfc_dylan_05

“This is really bad news, wishing him a speedy recovery. May he be back soon”

Credit: @Jkmburu17

“Season over”

Credit: @DonLuigi_

“Oh no”

Credit: @Drewski248

In other news: City fans also flocked to a Fabrizio Romano claim, find out more here.

Wolves have opened negotiations with Valencia for Goncalo Guedes, according to Portuguese journalist Pedro Almeida.

An offer between €20-25 million will apparently be enough to tempt the La Liga side to part with the 24-year-old, despite him having an absolutely remarkable release clause in his current deal.

Nuno’s side look to have stolen a march on West Ham and Everton, also named by Almeida as interested parties.

Valencia could make loss on Guedes

Valencia paid £36million to make Guedes’ loan deal permanent in August 2018 and tied him down to a six-year deal (via BBC Sport).ÂThat contract included an eye-watering £270million release clause.

But it looks as if Los murcielagosÂare now entertaining realistic offers, with Guedes only able to contribute two La Liga goals this season and the financial impact of the pandemic hitting the club hard.

In all, he has been directly involved in 42 goals in 128 Valencia matches (20 goals, 22 assists).ÂHe’s also been capped 22 times at senior level for Portugal, having last been called up in September.

Transfer Tavern verdict

It’s worth noting just how much Valencia have struggled this season. Last year, they made it to the Champions League of Round 16, but there’s no prospect of European qualification this time around with Javi Gracia’s side languishing in 13th.

So Guedes shouldn’t be written off just because his own statistics are a little underwhelming – Cristiano Ronaldo is such a big fan of his compatriot he allegedly wanted him to replace Gareth Bale at Real Madrid.ÂIf Pedro Neto were to be prised away, Guedes could be an excellent replacement.

In other news, fans flocked to another transfer update on Monday.

Heading into the 2021/22 season, Liverpool have been linked with a somewhat lengthy list of defensive recruits.

The Reds have been credited with interest in the likes of Caglar Soyuncu, Ezequiel Garay, Alessandro Bastoni and many more.

Nevertheless, the most prominent names have been Ibrahima Konate – whom The Athletic suggest that Jurgen Klopp is edging towards signing – and Kalidou Koulibaly. Il Mattino report that Liverpool could look to sign the Napoli man with his asking price having dropped.

It is the latter that Michael Edwards should be pushing to sign more.

Comparing the two players’ statistics this season, Koulibaly comes out on top most often.

According to WhoScored, the Senegalese centre-back has averaged 1.2 tackles per game, whilst Konate is contributing just 0.4 for RB Leipzig.

The Napoli man is also victorious in regards to interceptions – one to 0.7 – and blocks – 0.9 to 0.1.

Whilst Koulibaly does concede more fouls per match, this cynical edge is not always a bad feature and instead could be used to great effect at key moments of a match.

Away from the players’ defensive statistics, Koulibaly edges out Konate with his comfort on the ball. The 29-year-old averages more accurate passes per game, whilst also being extremely effective from long balls, completing 4.1 per game to Konate’s paltry 0.9.

Despite Koulibaly looking like the overwhelming candidate for the centre-back berth at Anfield, there are however few positives for Konate. The younger player at just 21, the Frenchman would also be cheaper. He is rated at £31.5m, whilst the Napoli man holds a £45m valuation.

Within that though, Liverpool would be purchasing plenty of experience with Koulibaly. He has made 277 appearances for Napoli and also taken to the pitch on 75 separate occasions within European competition compared to Konate’s 21.

So, whilst Koulibaly would certainly be the costlier purchase, the Reds would almost definitely be buying a higher quality player.

He conveniently already has a glowing reference from ex-Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina, who labelled his former teammate as “extraordinary”.

If choosing between the two then, Liverpool have to plump for Koulibaly instead of Konate.

AND in more news, Fabrizio Romano has revealed a huge transfer mistake that Michael Edwards could be making…

West Brom will be looking to continue their recent form on Thursday night as they welcome one of Sam Allardyce’s former sides, Everton, to The Hawthorns.

On the face of it, things are starting to turn around for the 66-year-old, having steered his side to an unbeaten run of three matches, in which they have conceded only one goal.

However, the test of the Toffees is a big one as they too have enjoyed an upturn in results, winning back-to-back league outings to move into seventh place, and a win here would see them move into the top four.

Big Sam may find it hard to alter much of his starting lineup considering they have not lost in three games, but there is one move he should make…

On the Chalkboard

January arrival and Premier League veteran Robert Snodgrass should be available for selection following injury, having missed the draw to Burnley and the win over Brighton.

Speaking ahead of the encounter, Allardyce said, via Albion’s official website: “He’s back in the squad and ready to go.”

Therefore, he should come straight back in as his experience (169 PL appearances) and know-how will be invaluable against Carlo Ancelotti’s men, particularly in battling their impressive attack of Richarlison, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and James Rodriguez.

The latter of which is likely to be Snodgrass’ opposite number, if selected.

Ancelotti hinted that he could well be available to face the Baggies this week, so Allardyce must prepare to face either him or Alex Iwobi on that right flank, which is where the Scotsman comes in.

Rodriguez is Everton’s joint-second top goalscorer on five goals, while only one other player has provided more assists (four), via WhoScored, so straight away, it is clear to see how important he is to the Toffees’ cause.

Similarly. the World Cup sensation tops the charts for creating chances, averaging 2.1 key passes per 90 minutes. By comparison, this is the same number we’ve seen from Matheus Pereira this term, and we know how reliant Albion can be on him as a playmaking outlet.

The 33-year-old veteran seems well-equipped to deal with whatever is thrown his way. He sits second amongst this West Brom squad for tackles per game (2.5), which is a telling sign of his relentless work-rate as he’s often deployed as a winger.

This means he’s tracking back and helping out his defence – he could form quite the wall alongside Conor Towsend on that left flank to thwart and silence the threat that Rodriguez possesses.

Snodgrass is even managing two clearances and nearly five duels won per game, which only bolsters his capability to stop the opposition in their tracks.

The versatile £20k-per-week gem has been dubbed the “whole package” and a “huge character” since joining the Baggies at the start of the year, and he’s exactly the sort of player you bring straight back in when available.

He simply must start instead of Matty Phillips against the Toffees on Thursday night.

AND in other news, £11.7m-rated West Brom “genius” is now suffering massively under Allardyce…

During West Ham United’s away match to Manchester City in the Premier League this afternoon, plenty of Irons weren’t impressed with the performance of defender Ben Johnson after he was handed a start up against Riyad Mahrez – with one supporter even claiming he was a ‘liability’. 

David Moyes gifted Johnson a start against the league leaders, with the youngster part of a back five tasked to keep the Sky Blues at bay.

After a number of misplaced passes and looking hesitant at times up against Mahrez, who got the winning assist, many Irons believe this wasn’t the encounter to entrust Johnson as a wing back.

Indeed, the consensus among supporters appears to be that the 21-year-old looked somewhat out of his depth at the Etihad Stadium – dropping their array of opinions on his performance.

Flocking to social media, some Hammers labelled his display as ‘shocking’ and a ‘nightmare’ at times.

Find all of their verdicts down below.

West Ham fans blast Johnson

“Ben Johnson having a nightmare out there”

Credit: @13Ratcliffe

“Ben Johnson way, way out of his depth here.”

Credit: @ben98870523

“Frankly Ben Johnson has been a liability so far”

Credit: @USAWestHamUSA

“Ben Johnson bit out of his depth for me”

Credit: @garron1991

“Ben Johnson having an absolute mare.”

Credit: @Kiitez

“Who’s rating Ben Johnson now terrible”

Credit: @alfff94

“Having said that… Ben Johnson looks horrible….”

Credit: @west_ham_philly

In other news: West Ham fans erupted at this transfer claim, find out more here.

Every club has them. The ones that got away, the nearly and not-so-nearly deals.

Glasgow Rangers themselves are no exception to the rule, having signed some great players, but missed out on some even greater ones.

Rangers were by no means quiet in the extended summer transfer window, bringing in the likes of Cedric Itten and Kemar Roofe on four-year deals for undisclosed fees, although they missed out on signing former Peterborough United striker Ivan Toney.

However, if they had stuck to their guns, they could have had one of the Sky Bet Championship’s hottest young talents on their books.

Indeed, it seems Ross Wilson and co. have missed the chance to sign Bright Osayi-Samuel, with Football Insider’s Wayne Veysey saying Fenerbahce have pipped Rangers to the signing of the Queens Park Rangers winger.

The 23-year-old is set to swap the Championship for the sunny heights of the Super Lig after opting to leave the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium.

QPR director of football Les Ferdinand has given the green light for Osayi-Samuel to complete the move for a fee believed to be in the region of £700,000 in a big blow for Steven Gerrard.

The Nigerian has genuinely been one of the best players in the Championship, given his decent record for the R’s – 13 goals and 13 assists in 115 appearances, albeit a substantial amount of those from the bench.

Rangers and several clubs south of the border were interested in the £3m-rated ace, but Fenerbahce have beaten them to the post for a player who was dubbed “dangerous” by Mark Warburton.

Not that he’d like to admit it, but their failure to sign Osayi-Samuel will have left Gerrard with a sour taste after their inability to strike a deal with the Championship club for little more than a compensation fee.

Ryan Kent has long been considered Gerrard’s first-choice left winger, with the Light Blues boss not adverse to starting Ianis Hagi on the left wing. However, although Rangers have three other options out wide in Brandon Barker, Jordan Jones and Glenn Middleton, his squad options are thin in that area, as both Barker and Jones are considered surplus to requirements.

It seems Gerrard has made it a winter priority to give himself plenty of alternatives after links to the likes of Francis Amuzu and Scott Wright.

In Osayi-Samuel, however, not only would he have been able to provide cover for Kent, he would also have been able to provide competition as well. After all, he is currently averaging 2.8 dribbles per game so far this season, which is more than Kent himself (1.9).

His ability to play on both wings will also be an added bonus for Fenerbahce and a bitter note for Gerrard.

AND in other news, Rangers would be signing another Ryan Kent in Francis Amuzu…

Southampton face a tough away trip in the Premier League on Saturday evening as they face high-flying Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.

The Foxes currently sit fourth in the t0p-flight, with the Saints in seventh, but three points against Brendan Rodgers’s side could see the South Coast club move above them in the Premier League table.

Whilst Jamie Vardy will be an obvious threat for the Foxes, Hasenhuttl must ensure that his side are wary of Leicester midfielder James Maddison, whose excellent form so far this season marks him out as a danger man in Rodgers’ side.

In 15 top-flight appearances, the former Norwich City man has contributed four goals and two assists, which has seen him average a strong 7.02 rating.

This puts him well on track to surpass his tally from last season when he managed just six goals and three assists in the Premier League across 31 appearances.

Maddison averages 1.9 shots per game in the top-flight this season, which is only slightly less than the 2.4 averaged by Vardy.

The attacking-midfielder has also averaged 1.9 key passes per game so far this campaign, which is more than any Southampton player, with James Ward-Prowse leading the way in Hasenhuttl’s side with 1.6 key passes per game.

A prime example of the threat that Maddison can pose was in Leicester’s 2-1 win against Sheffield United earlier in the season when in added time at the end of the match, the England international robbed John Fleck of possession and played an inch-perfect through ball to Vardy, who scored the winner.

If the Saints are missing Oriol Romeu again on Saturday, then the job of marking Maddison will surely fall on the shoulders of Ibrahima Diallo. Whilst he impressed against Fulham and Liverpool, he will have to be at his best to keep the 24-year-old, who earns £110k per week, quiet at the King Power.

Whereas Southampton’s defence could keep Vardy quiet by sitting deep to prevent counter-attacks and balls over the top, this could leave them vulnerable to Maddison’s long-range shooting, with the midfielder having scored eight goals from outside of the box between the beginning of 2018/19 and January 2020, which was more than any other player.

He also earned the praise of manager Brendan Rodgers last season, with the former Liverpool boss saying:

“If you look at his numbers this season, in terms of the goals he has scored and created, he has shown he is a big-game player.”

He has certainly continued that theme this season, with a superb strike against Manchester City earlier in the season perhaps the pick of the bunch, so Southampton must be wary of the threat he poses on Saturday.

And, in other news, Southampton handed huge blow with “outstanding” gem ruled out of Leicester clash…

Glasgow Rangers beat Premiership rivals Hibernian to go 19 points clear of arch-rivals Celtic at the top of the table with Neil Lennon’s side playing later on Saturday.

Ianis Hagi’s goal in the first half proved to be enough to extend their lead at the summit of the Scottish Premiership, although Hibs had their chances to bring the game level, but failed to stop Rangers from winning 12 games in a row.

The ball was worked to Kemar Roofe who carried it forwards and skipped away from Hibs defenders before Hagi finished off a fine team move to give the Gers a deserved lead.

And it was Hagi who ran the show as he outshone both Roofe and James Tavernier, having dragged a shot wide shortly before he found the back of the net.

The 22-year-old got himself on the scoresheet, but that was merely the icing on the cake in what was a masterful performance from the young Romania international.

As per SofaScore, Hagi received a high rating of 7.3 out of ten for his efforts – he won five out of his seven ground duels (71%), took three shots overall, including one shot on target, and was fouled twice, which suggests he was a real handful for Jack Ross’ Hibs.

He also took 50 touches of the ball, provided 27 out of his 33 passes (82%), completed one out of his two dribble attempts successfully and made two tackles and one interception as well.

Hagi, who earns wages worth £23,000-per-week at the Govan-based Glaswegian giants, has now scored three goals and supplied seven assists in the Premiership so far this season, via WhoScored, while he is averaging 2.1 shots and 1.3 key passes per game.

With Jordan Jones waiting in the wings after completing his seven-game ban for breaching COVID-19 regulations, Hagi will have handed Gerrard a huge selection headache with his dominant display during the win at home to Hibs as he ensured Rangers maintained their 100% domestic record at Ibrox this season.

He can’t ignore Hagi any longer after his latest showing, that’s for sure.

AND in other news, Ross Wilson must sanction Rangers swoop for Peterborough winger Dembele…

Aston Villa have made some big-name signings recently, with players like Ross Barkley and Emiliano Martinez being brought during the last transfer window. They have been linked to Jesse Lingard in the past and there is now a fresh update on the player’s future.

The latest transfer update on Lingard

According to TEAMtalk, Lingard is ready to ask Manchester United to let him leave in January. His contract expires in the summer, so United will need to sell him this winter if they want to get any money for him. They could, in theory, extend his deal but this doesn’t seem to be likely at this stage.

Lingard also has interest from abroad with teams from Germany, Spain and Italy keen, as well as Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers, keen to sign him.

Would the Englishman be a good signing for Villa

Lingard is yet to feature for the Red Devils in the Premier League this campaign.

However, he has definitely shown he has the potential to succeed in the Premier League in the past, as highlighted by his performances in the division across the 2017/18 season, where he scored eight goals and six assists (Transfermarkt).

In the past, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has praised the England international saying: “Jesse’s a big game player” but he’s yet to reward the midfielder with much game time.

Lingard also has 24 England appearances, emphasising he has an abundance of experience. A move to a club like Villa, where he should get more chances to play, could be ideal in unlocking the quality we have seen him show in the past.

With his contract expiring, Dean Smith’s side could get Lingard on the cheap, and whilst it could look like a risky signing, it could turn into a great one if they can get the Englishman back to his best and as such, it might be a gamble worth taking.

In other news, fans react to Gabriel Agbonlahor’s comments on this Bundesliga star.

Southampton have truly found their groove in the Premier League this season and have come flying out the blocks. Now fourth in the table, they boast 13 points after winning four of their seven games played. An inspired performance against Aston Villa sees them just three points off the top spot.

Ralph Hasenhuttl is not holding back this time round. A top ten spot would have been the team’s target at the start of the season, but with so many twists and turns already, they may be eyeing up a top six finish instead.

The Saints have a lot to be thankful for as they enjoy their blistering start to the campaign. The team as a whole is working wonderfully together and the new signings appear to be settling in nicely. Kyle Walker-Peters has proved to be an extremely smart bit of business from Martin Semmens. But there’s one man who has impressed more than the defender.

Tying down James Ward-Prowse to a new five-year contract has arguably been the best decision the club has made during the transfer window and at the moment it is proving to be a Semmens masterclass.

James Ward-Prowse and his impact for Southampton

After guiding the Saints to a 4-3 win over Villa on Sunday, the skipper has made club history. The midfielder has overtaken club icon Matt Le Tissier as the player to score the most direct free-kicks with an impressive eight.

He also set up Jannik Vestergaard’s opener after 20 minutes at Villa Park, so not only does he have a wand of a right foot, but his eye for an opportunity is second to none in the team. Ward-Prowse now boasts four goalscoring contributions in his last two games, which could be the start of an exciting streak for the 26-year-old.

The Englishman was ever-present under Hasenhuttl last season, establishing himself as one of Southampton’s key players. Indeed, he hasn’t missed a single minute of football this term either and has stepped up to the plate with the captain’s armband too.

With teammate Danny Ings resurrecting his England career due to his phenomenal form, Ward-Prowse might not be far behind. He has appeared twice for his country this year, but with his current rate of performances, it will be impossible to count him out as a midfield contender for the Three Lions.

In other news, Southampton made right call not to cash in on Oriol Romeu in 2020…