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It wouldn’t exactly be an understatement to say that Barcelona are currently very much a sinking ship. The new coach Ronald Koeman and the board have promised the fans a revolution and it seems that a revolution is what they are going to get.

The latest reports state some of the dressing room’s heavyweights are going to have to leave the club and Lionel Messi of all people has also requested to be transferred. Of course, at the very moment, the Argentine is everything the Catalans and the media can talk about but Luis Suarez is also a player whose future hangs on a thread.

According to an update from Globo Esporte, Barcelona have already contacted Manchester City about the availability of Gabriel Jesus. The forward is seen as the perfect replacement for Suarez as he is young and fits their desired profile.

If the same source is to be believed, the initial talks have been held but as of right now, that’s all we know about the deal. Of course, there were also whispers of Pep Guardiola potentially involving Jesus in a deal to bring Messi to the Premier League but that’s also where the rumour stopped for now.

Either way, it does seem like losing Jesus would not exactly be what the Citizens had in mind, but it could be worth it if they get something special in return.

Like Messi, for example.

Verdict

The ongoing summer transfer window is already bound to be a window of swap deals and maybe Man City could truly make an effort to milk Barcelona for all they’re worth with this Jesus transfer.

Of course, ideally, they keep him. But if he really wants to go and Messi wants to come to England, no matter how unlikely that may sound at the moment, maybe there is an avenue here the Citizens could explore.

According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, West Ham have made an approach to sign Mykola Matvienko in this summer transfer window.

What’s the word?

The Shakhtar Donetsk defender was the subject of major interest from West Ham’s London rivals Arsenal back in January, with the Ukraine international’s agent even insisting that negotiations with the Gunners were already taking place.

The Greatest Bargains in Premier League history – How much did they cost?

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However, that move failed to materialise, with Mikel Arteta’s side bringing in Pablo Mari from Flamengo. Now, speaking on The Ornstein and Chapman podcast, Ornstein has claimed West Ham have entered the running to sign Matvienko, and that a bid has already been made for the 24-year-old.

Shades of Rio Ferdinand

West Ham fans will know all about having one of European football’s premiere ball-playing centre-backs in their ranks, with Rio Ferdinand having come through the Hammers’ academy system.

Whilst Matvienko hasn’t reached the heights of the former Manchester United star just yet, his performances in the Champions League in particular have shown that he has got all the attributes and potential to make it very far in the game.

Despite seeing Shakhtar get knocked out early on in the Champions League last season, there was no question Matviyenko was one of the stand-out players for them. He averaged a very impressive 2.5 interceptions per game, which was only bettered by ten other players in the group stages.

Added to his fine reading of the game, the 24-year-old averaged 54.7 passes per match, boasting an accuracy of 88.7%. Matvienko proved that he hasn’t just been performing to a high level in Ukrainian football, but showing he can handle himself against some of the best strikers in Europe.

In fact, in Shakhtar’s excellent 1-1 draw away at Manchester City, the 6 foot lynch-pin essentially silenced Pep Guardiola’s side with a display of incredible composure. He made a quite remarkable six interceptions and seven clearances, whilst also creating one official big chance too. Matvienko led from the back, and made relatively light work of the likes of Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne.

West Ham are on the right track by targeting the centre-back.

Everton continue their Carabao Cup campaign later this evening as they welcome a West Ham United side buoyed by their first win of the season at the weekend.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side are unbeaten in all competitions and have thrashed lower-league opposition to be here whilst David Moyes’ men had only found success in the cup before Sunday night’s 4-0 whitewash of Wolves.

The Italian has semi-rotated his starting lineup for these midweek matches, so will we see the same now that they are ever so much closer to the quarter-finals.

Here’s the Toffees XI we could see at Goodison Park tonight…

Ancelotti could make as many as six changes to the side that defeated Crystal Palace only a few days ago.

One player that is sure to keep his spot is Jordan Pickford, the Toffees’ number one between the sticks. He played last time out against Fleetwood and is likely to feature once again.

He’ll have his usual centre-back pairing of Michael Keane and Yerry Mina to keep him safe just in front but at left-back, impressive young talent Niels Nkounkou replaces Lucas Digne with Jonjoe Kenny also coming back in for skipper Seamus Coleman.

It’s all change in midfield too as Tom Davies, Fabian Delph and Gylfi Sigurdsson return. At times last season, this was Everton’s first-choice engine room – it’s funny what one transfer window can do.

£22m man Andre Gomes, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Allan are all rested as is the game-changing James Rodriguez, who hasn’t featured in the Carabao Cup this term.

Instead, Alex Iwobi gets a rare start on the wing as he gets the nod over both Anthony Gordon and Theo Walcott whilst the Toffees’ red-hot duo continue to lead the line in attack.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has five goals from four games and Richarlison has three goals and two assists from four outings.

It means there are also no places for either of Bernard or Moise Kean, who are surely likely to feature from the bench at some stage.

AND in other news, Everton must prioritise Ferdinand-like colossus over Chelsea duo…

The Daily Mail has named Southampton as one of the potential suitors for Danny Welbeck after Watford announced he had been released on Tuesday, having shown interest in him during recent weeks.

The former Arsenal ace is available on a free transfer after a disappointing stint with the Hornets. According to the Hertfordshire Mercury, he has a number of clubs chasing his signature and the Saints are amongst the admirers.

Southampton should pull the plug on Welbeck

Ralph Hasenhuttl has welcomed a good range of new recruits over the threshold this window. Loan signing Theo Walcott arrives ready to fill a hole in the Southampton attack, whilst Mohammed Salisu and Ibrahima Diallo provide depth across the defence. Kyle Walker-Peters has already slotted straight into the starting lineup, playing every minute so far this season.

However, the links to Welbeck aren’t something the club should be looking to pursue, despite the attraction of the free transfer.

Welbeck history and stats

Despite boasting two league titles and a Champions League trophy with Manchester United, plus two FA Cups with Arsenal, Welbeck has hit a massive decline in recent years. The 42-cap England striker is now struggling to find a club who wants to give him game time.

The 29-year-old managed just two Premier League goals and one assist in 18 appearances (via Transfermarkt) for Watford last season. It was a tough run for Welbeck after being deprived of playing time at Arsenal the season before, making a mere 14 appearances across all competitions and bagging five goals. In comparison to controversial Southampton figure Shane Long, his 2019/20 stats are worse than the 33-year-old’s two goals and three assists.

This is a huge comparison to the man that netted 12 goals and seven assists in his 2011/21 season with United. But even Nigel Pearson saw glimmers of the old Welbeck following his move to Watford.

“He’s a player with a lot of ability and he’s had a really good career,” the Hornets boss said following a win over Norwich last season (via Bet365). “To have a winner of such quality is great for us because it was a difficult game.”

However, Welbeck wasn’t able to live up to expectations and is now on the hunt for a new club. With Danny Ings in their arsenal, Southampton already have a focal point of their attack. Signing the Watford castaway would be a pointless move for all involved.

In other news, Southampton to benefit from Theo Walcott who still has a lot to give…

Leeds United still have just over a week to get any domestic signings through the door at Elland Road.

The Whites have previously been linked to the likes of Said Benrahma and Emi Buendia, but the strongest link recently has been to Norwich City’s Todd Cantwell.

Cantwell is undoubtedly a fantastic player, netting six Premier League goals last season, and he’s had glowing reviews from people who have worked with him, with his former Norwich youth coach Darren Huckerby describing him as an incredibly gifted footballer:

“He was always the most gifted, but needed more work mentally than the others. He would admit it himself he could get intimidated by other players, and it’s great to see where he is now, because five years ago you might have said it would be touch and go,”

Indeed, Leeds have re-opened talks for the midfield maestro after bidding for him last month, but while Cantwell is certainly a talented player, he may be one signing too many for the club.

With United spending almost £100m since the end of last season already, splashing out another £20m on Cantwell may be hard to finance, especially with RB Leipzig chasing their £18m for Jean-Kevin Augustin.

That’s not the only problem either. Marcelo Bielsa has always been keen to work with a small squad, making that point incredibly clear during his tenure at Leeds, and with Cantwell potentially being United’s eighth first-team signing of the season, the squad may soon be oversaturated. To be honest, it probably already is.

Just look at the positions where Cantwell would want to fit in – Pablo Hernandez, Rodrigo and Tyler Roberts are already battling it out for the number 10 spot, while Ezgjan Alioski and Jack Harrison are competing on the left-wing, a position that Helder Costa and Stuart Dallas can also play in.

Bielsa will just be left with a massive selection headache if Cantwell is added to the team, and with the quality Leeds already have in these areas, you have to wonder if he’s even needed.

Signing the Norwich man could ultimately do more harm than good if it affects Bielsa’s squad dynamics.

It only feels like yesterday that it was transfer deadline day, but with the January window on the horizon, defending SPFL champions Celtic appear to be already plotting an interesting move…

What’s the word?

According to Football Insider, the Hoops are working on a cut-price swoop for Preston North End defender Ben Davies, who is out of contract in the summer.

The Glasgow giants are able to tie him down to a pre-contract agreement in less than three months time, so the Parkhead hierarchy are keeping tabs on the situation.

It’s claimed that the Bhoys are eyeing up a potential successor to Kristoffer Ajer should interested parties come back in for the 6 foot 6 colossus.

Bargain upgrade?

This has all the hallmarks of being an outstanding bargain for Celtic. The 25-year-old was valued at £10m by the Lilywhites throughout the summer transfer window yet he could be clinched for free.

Alex Neil has been desperate to keep his star man despite him entering the final months of his current deal, so much so that they even rejected a £5m offer from AFC Bournemouth before the deadline.

“The lad has really good pace, which for a centre-back is rare. He reads the game well and has the determination to get better,” claims the PNE boss.

Davies has been integral to Preston over the past 18 months. This season, the 6 foot 1 speedster has averaged three aerials won, four clearances, 1.6 tackles and one interception per game, via WhoScored.

This is an improvement on what Hatem Abd Elhamed has been delivering for Neil Lennon in the Scottish Premiership this term, the Israeli international has only managed 1.2 aerials won, 1.3 clearances and 0.8 tackles each match.

The Lilywhites beast is even ahead of Ajer for tackles (1.5) and clearances (2.9) too, so perhaps he is indeed the best-suited replacement should the Norway man-mountain depart Parkhead anytime soon.

Even if he doesn’t, Lennon’s persistence to play three-at-the-back means there is a need for central defenders – against Rangers, youngster Stephen Walsh had to be called upon due to injuries and self-isolation circumstances.

The Scottish champions may have to wait until next summer to reap the rewards, but it’s still a deal worth completing.

AND in other news, Lawwell blunder: Celtic will rue missing out on £10m “revelation” for a very long time…

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, former Premier League goalkeeper Chris Kirkland has tipped West Brom to make a decision on the future of Slaven Bilic soon.

According to emerging reports last week, the Croatian’s job as manager of the Baggies would be put under scrutiny against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon.

Albion made it an eighth game without a victory, losing cruelly to a late Harry Kane header, but Bilic was bullish over his future.

The 52-year-old said it was “nonsense” to question his future at the Hawthorns after the match despite West Brom finding themselves third from bottom going into the international break.

Kirkland, who enjoyed a season-long loan spell at the club in the 2005/06 campaign, believes Guochuan Lai and the Baggies board will pull the trigger if results continue to go against them.

Speaking to FFC, he said:

“That was a huge game for both teams [last week]. That win was much needed [for Fulham]. I don’t think a draw would have done either team any good.

“But yeah, you can see it. I mean, there are managers that have been sacked after four games, when they lose four on the spin. Yes, he got them up last season but that goes out of the window now.

“Listen, there’s always normally someone that goes in there around October, November time during the normal season but whether this is a normal season or not, I’m not sure.

“But I don’t think we’ll be too far away from seeing somebody face the sack soon if results go against them.”

This two-week gap in the domestic schedule will leave the decision-makers in the west Midlands plenty to consider.

Kirkland himself believes Sam Allardyce is the perfect candidate to succeed Bilic whilst Albion have also been linked to Charlton Athletic boss Lee Bowyer, who has worked with both Karlan Grant and Conor Gallagher in recent seasons.

Three points from eight matches is not a good start for the top-flight newcomers either way.

AND in other news, “Influential” West Brom man shines in the absence of Pereira during cruel defeat…

With Ollie Watkins and Ross Barkley leading Aston Villa’s incredible start to the new Premier League season, it’s been no surprise to see the duo earn a lot of praise in these opening months of the campaign.

They have been part of a scintillating attack that has scored 19 goals, ranking them fourth in the entire division. And that too having played a game less.

And whilst Watkins and Barkley are rightly receiving their fair share of the plaudits, it’s been another one of Villa’s summer arrivals that has arguably been Dean Smith’s unsung hero this season: Matty Cash.

After arriving in a £16m deal from Championship side Nottingham Forest, the right-back has quickly established himself as a cornerstone of the first-team, usurping Ahmed Elmohamady to be the club’s undisputed first-choice in his position.

He has played in every single Premier League game this season for his new side, and Kevin Phillips has admitted that he has been left in awe of his performances.

He said: “I hold my hands up. Credit to Matty Cash. Some players fit a club and a style of play and Matty Cash is one of them. Tony Adams even said that he reminds him of a young Lee Dixon.

“Cash has come in and he has been flawless. He has taken to the club like a duck to water. You have to give credit to the player and the recruitment department. They have obviously done their homework. He has been one of their shining lights this season.”

Right-back isn’t the most fashionable of positions to end up playing in. Who can forget when Jamie Carragher declared that nobody grows up wanting to be a Gary Neville for instance?

But the way Cash has been performing, has been nothing short of impressive. And it’s about time he gets his recognition. Johan Lange pulled off a stunning Villa heist to get him for just £16m.

Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes has been voted the GMS Fans’ Premier League Player of the Month for November.

In a poll run by fan engagement experts Snack Media, the midfielder took an impressive 43% of the vote after scoring four goals from 14 shots and playing an instrumental role in United’s run of three consecutive wins in November.

Liverpool’s Diogo Jota, who scored twice last month, was in second place with 21%.

In the last of five votes carried out over seven days via Snack’s digital and social networks, the United star’s talismanic performances clearly resonated most with the Premier League audience.

The full list of contenders from the final shortlist polled as follows:

Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) – 43%

Diogo Jota (Liverpool) – 21%

Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspur) – 11%

Aaron Cresswell (West Ham) – 10%

Pedro Neto (Wolverhampton Wanderers) – 8%

Jamie Vardy (Leicester City) – 7%

The Premier League vote for December’s POTM award opens at 3pm on Friday 8th January. To vote go to: https://www.footballfancast.com/fan-awards

Given the number of top-quality right-backs England have at their disposal, it’s perhaps the one area of the squad where Gareth Southgate may feel like he has got more than his fair share of options.

But in Aston Villa youngster Kaine Kesler, the Three Lions boss may well have one for the future. The 17-year-old is seemingly making waves at academy level in the Midlands, and could well be the club’s next break-out star.

The Athletic’s Gregg Evans claimed that he is starting to edge players like Jacob Ramsey in the race to make that all-important breakthrough into the first-team, and that Villa boss Dean Smith rates the young right-back very highly.

Any eagle-eyed fan will have of course spotted him among the substitutes during the side’s Premier League clash against Everton towards the end of last season.

And speaking to The Athletic, one source even said: “He looks like he’s got a real chance of featuring for the first team in the future. His speed is frightening and that could set him apart.”

Evans further added that “senior players have been taken back by his blistering pace and his desire to make an impression when called upon” and that “Kesler travelled with the first team for the pre-season camp in Wales and has been with the seniors for the past four months”.

With Ahmed Elmohamady in the twilight years of his career, Villa understandably spent £16m on Nottingham Forest right-back Matty Cash, and he has been one of the unsung heroes of their season thus far.

But even with his fine start to life at Villa Park, the club could do with some extra competition in that position, especially if Elmohamady’s contract isn’t renewed for the long-term.

If Smith gives him some opportunities to feature perhaps in the upcoming FA Cup, then they could well have an in-house replacement for their Egyptian cult hero.

Whilst he may not be taking over from Cash anytime soon given both of their ages, Villa really do have a hidden gem on their hands in Kesler.