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Tottenham Hotspur veteran Moussa Sissoko was perhaps the one negative from Wednesday night’s emphatic Europa League victory over Wolfsberger AC.

But tht merely continues a worrying trend that should see the 31-year-old moved on in the summer.

He’s gone from a regular under Jose Mourinho to a mere bit-part player and certainly looks like a shadow of his former self.

Both Victor Wanyama, 28, and Mousa Dembele, 31, were sold by Spurs when the writing was on the wall, so Daniel Levy and co could repeat that feat here with Sissoko.

On the Chalkboard

The £16m-rated Frenchman had started 11 games in a row in the Premier League for Spurs between October and December this season but now finds himself down the pecking order, having only started two of their last seven outings, via Transfermarkt.

Therefore, it was on Sissoko to deliver when given an opportunity, just like on Wednesday night when Mourinho started him alongside Harry Winks, though in return, the bustling midfielder showed that he was terribly out of form as he graded as Spurs’ worst player (6.6) as per SofaScore ratings.

Usually, the former Newcastle man is solid defensively and very active in terms of work-rate, managing an average of 1.2 tackles on the season but against the Austrian minnows, he failed to manage a single tackle and was instead dribbled past once by the poorer quality team.

Sissoko was also weak and lightweight, winning only two of five duels in the 81 minutes he was on the pitch – this was the worst of any Spurs midfielder who started the match, whilst substitute Marcel Lavinier – a 20-year-old debutant at right-back – won double the number of battles in only 16 minutes of action, via SofaScore.

Though, his disappointing display in what was a routine win for Spurs was merely a microcosm for his overall form for the club – it’s trending downwards, and at 31, he really should have no long-term future at the club especially amid links to RB Leipzig livewire Marcel Sabitzer, and the emergence of Oliver Skipp.

In terms of Europa League starters, Sissoko ranks worst for average WhoScored rating in the whole squad (6.35) – only the young academy hopefuls that have received minutes from the bench have been graded worse.

Similarly, in the Premier League, the French midfielder sits 14th overall (6.59), which is second-bottom for those that have started 12 or more matches – clearly, this shows that Sissoko is regressing at a worrying rate and thus, should be sold in the summer.

This is reinforced by the fact that he is down on his numbers from the 2019/20 campaign, where he averaged a rating of 6.79 in the English top-flight, and managed more tackles (1.3), more dribbles (1.4) and more key passes (0.6) per appearance, via WhoScored.

Sissoko is also among the high earners at the club, raking in a reported £90k-per-week at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which is better earnings than Sergio Reguilon (£80k-p/w), Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (£65k-p/w), and even Toby Alderweireld (£85k-p/w).

The long-serving Spurs passenger must be axed from the starting XI going forward and when the transfer window reopens, the north London outfit must do all they can to make some money on him.

All in all, he’s simply no longer good enough.

AND in other news, Matt Doherty silences his harshest Spurs critics vs Wolfsberger

Leicester City will be aiming to get their first win in three Premier League games on Saturday evening as they take on Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium.

The Foxes were held by Burnley at Turf Moor last time out, Kelechi Iheanacho cancelling out Matej Vydra’s early opener.

Brendan Rodgers’ men were not quite able to turn the game on its head, though, and departed Lancashire with just a point.

What will the Leicester City starting XI look like against the Seagulls?

We are expecting as many as four changes from Rodgers as he attempts to get his side back on track.

Kasper Schmeichel is an ever-present for Leicester this season so will undoubtedly start between the sticks. He will be screened by Timothy Castagne, Caglar Soyuncu and Ricardo Pereira.

There will however be one alteration in the backline, with the fit-again Wesley Fofana, who made a brief 24-minute cameo against Burnley starting once again in place of Daniel Amartey.

Wilfred Ndidi, who was also deployed at centre-back at Turf Moor, should move back into midfield alongside Nampalys Mendy. The Frenchman should be starting back-to-back games for the first time since early December.

Elsewhere, having had a hectic schedule at the beginning of 2021 in playing almost every minute in the league, Youri Tielemans should be afforded a rest. He should be replaced by youngster Sidnei Tavares, who made his Premier League debut last time out.

In a similar vein, Jamie Vardy should also drop to the bench. The 144-goal forward is still recovering from a hernia operation, so a rest could potentially be beneficial. Marc Albrighton could well come in for him after his brief but impressive cameo against Burnley.

Following a mistake at Turf Moor, it also makes sense for Hamza Choudhury to drop out of the starting XI. Cengiz Under should get an opportunity to line up in attack in his absence, having not played a great deal of football recently.

AND in more news, take a look at our analysis of the winger’s excellent performance at Turf Moor.

Many fans of Manchester City have been reacting to a post on Twitter which relayed a report regarding the transfer situation of Erling Haaland.

According to Mark Ogden’s report for ESPN, there is a “growing likelihood” that Borussia Dortmund could look to move Haaland on this summer, one  year before a €75m (£64.5m) release clause can be triggered in the striker’s contract at the German club.

Ogden claims this is because Dortmund bosses believe they could sell the £141,000-a-week 20-year-old for “at least double” his release clause at the end of the current season, something which could become a “financial necessity” for the sixth-placed Bundesliga side should they fail to qualify for the Champions League next term.

After City Xtra relayed this report on Twitter, some fans of Manchester City flocked to have their say on the matter, with many begging Pep Guardiola and his side to “urgently” do all they can do land the £99m-rated Haaland in the summer transfer market.

So, what exactly did these Manchester City fans have to say in reaction to the report regarding Erling Haaland?

“Get it done.”

@JMC_OfficiaI

“Yes please.”

@CityJosxph

“Omar Berrada and Txixi don’t fumble the bag I can’t deal with Jesus anymore.”

@Amaz1ngAke

“Sign him ASAP.”

@TeohJohansen

“Let’s get him.”

@sentosabahari8

“We need it urgently.”

@fidels782

In other news: some Man City fans also flocked to this Romano claim, find out more here!

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in signing Southampton centre-back Jannik Vestergaard this summer and the Saints must ensure that they don’t end with a repeat of the situation that has seen Virgil van Dijk become one of the best centre-backs in the world after leaving the South Coast club.

According to the Mirror, Jose Mourinho is contemplating a move for the 28-year-old ahead of the summer as he looks to improve his defensive options at the North London club.

The former Borussia Monchengladbach man has established himself as a key player under Ralph Hasenhuttl this season and has been one of the best performers in the top-flight, having contributed three goals in 21 top-flight appearances, which has helped him average an impressive 7.09 rating.

Only James Ward-Prowse has scored a higher rating in the Premier League so far this season, which emphasises just how important the Dane has become at the South Coast club, so it would be a big loss if the £13.5 million-rated defender were to leave.

Losing such a key defender would perhaps be similar to the deal that saw Van Dijk join Liverpool in 2017, with the Dutchman departing the Saints in a club-record deal and helping to revolutionise Jurgen Klopp’s side, helping them to success in the Premier League and Champions League.

Vestergaard’s performances this season have earned him comparisons to Van Dijk from Martin Keown and considering the 6 foot 6 man’s impressive ability in the air, it is easy to see why.

However, the Danish international has also developed his ability on the ball, averaging an 83.7% pass accuracy rate this season compared to a 77.1% accuracy during  the last campaign.

Hasenhuttl is clearly a big fan of the defender, having described him as a “role model”, whilst his partnership with Jan Bednarek at the back was a big part of Southampton’s impressive form earlier in the season.

Therefore, Martin Semmens should do everything he can to keep hold of the centre-back this summer, as he is clearly an important part of this Saints side, and losing him to a side like Spurs could well lead to a repeat of Van Dijk’s incredible rise after St Mary’s.

And, in other news… Forget Forster: Saints can sign serious McCarthy upgrade in £8.6m beast

Mike Ashley should block Newcastle United from signing Nuno Tavares after it was revealed that SL Benfica will demand £25.5m to sell the young defender this summer.

What’s the word?

According to O Jogo, the Liga NOS giants have slapped a €30m (£25.5m) valuation on Tavares as SSC Napoli prepare to launch an assault on the Estádio Sport Lisboa e Benfica.

The Serie A outfit are seen as the most determined party in the race to sign Tavares, but believe As Aguias’ asking price does not reflect the 21-year-old’s true value and will strive to reach an agreement at a lesser sum.

Napoli are confident they will be able to edge out rival Premier League interest to land Tavares, who is being closely tracked by scouts from Newcastle and Burnley.

Neither the Toon nor Clarets have yet formalised their position on the full-back as they focus efforts on top-flight survival, which has left the door wide open for Napoli to swoop.

The Diego Armando Maradona Stadium natives are keen on signing Tavares as they consider the Portugal U21 international to be the best option available to improve the left-back position in Gennaro Gattuso’s squad.

Tavares has stood out to the decision-makers in Naples for his speed and physical talents, as they expect the former Sporting CP trainee to offer a strong offensive presence but with the ability to track back and deliver an effective defensive contribution.

He has offered three assists and helped Benfica to keep eight clean sheets in 21 games under Jorge Jesus across all competitions this term, but has only started 11 of his outings and featured for a combined 1,097 minutes or an average of 52 per match.

Should Newcastle sign Tavares?

Tavares appears to have a high ceiling to his potential with Napoli also noted to consider the 21-year-old as having more room for development than Benfica’s €40m (£34.5m) valued Grimaldo, whom they had targeted for the past two seasons.

O Jogo revealing that Benfica have set a £25.5m asking price for Tavares should be enough to see Ashley step in and block Newcastle from contending with Napoli or Burnley for the defender’s services, as it is a high price to pay for a relatively unproven talent.

Newcastle are thought to be in the market for a new full-back to support Jamal Lewis after his £15m transfer from Norwich City last summer, with Matt Ritchie likely to leave at the end of the season, per The Shields Gazette.

Tavares would have made a good signing for the Magpies if As Aguias were open to a move closer to his TransferMarkt valuation of £6.5m, as he would then have represented a far smaller risk than becoming United’s second-most expensive signing of all-time – behind only Joelinton’s £40m arrival in 2019.

The Toon would need Tavares to come in and be an instant upgrade on Lewis and start most, if not every, week if signed for the alleged fee needed, which cannot be guaranteed as he is susceptible to the same failings as Steve Bruce finds in Lewis.

Benfica boss Jesus hit out at the Portuguese prospect for the goal he allowed Arsenal score and eliminate his side from the Europa League earlier this month, as Tavares failed to prevent Bukayo Saka from crossing to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the closing stages.

“In those two goals, both Everton [for Kieran Tierney’s goal] and Nuno Tavares [for Aubameyang’s] had the play controlled and we could have prevented the finish. These are two important details, after the team played an excellent game against a great team,” Jesus said, via quotes by Tribal Football.

“We conceded goals in two situations that have nothing to do with the team, because the team was all positioned in the back. We were easy in those two plays and we were beaten one-on-one.”

AND in other news, Newcastle have landed a boost in any hopes of signing a “terrific” £20k-p/w star…

Ever since the King Power group, the owners of Leicester City, acquired a majority stake in Belgian outfit OH Leuven, a number of players have been transferred between the two clubs.

All of those switches have been the Premier League outfit sending youngsters out on loan – Kamal Sowah, Daniel Iversen, Filip Benkovic to name just a few – with no Leuven player yet to earn a transfer to the King Power Stadium.

However, French striker Thomas Henry has expressed his intentions to become the first player to tread that rarely-ventured path, saying it would be “easier” to move to England because of the relationship between Leicester and Leuven.

He is a player that Brendan Rodgers and the Foxes should avoid, though.

Despite his fantastic form for Leuven since his arrival at the club from AFC Tubize, having netted 41 goals in 71 appearances in all competitions including 20 during the current campaign, it is really the first time in Thomas’ career when he has found such lethality in front of goal.

It is also the first time in which he has managed to score goals in a top-flight European league, a prior venture in Ligue 1 with Nantes ending with just two appearances and no goals.

Whilst playing in the lower leagues is not too much of a problem, current Foxes star Jamie Vardy ironically being a prime example of that, the lack of any real finishing pedigree from Henry is concerning.

It is not as though the Frenchman is a fledgling player just harnessing his skills, either. He is 26 and so is highly unlikely to improve much more upon his current ability.

Valued at £3.15m by Transfermarkt, his arrival would not be particularly costly, but Leicester should avoid taking the apparent ‘easier’ option.

AND in more news, comments from a Foxes star has given a clue about his future at the King Power Stadium…

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Peterborough director of football Barry Fry believes Celtic regret their decision not to sign Ivan Toney.

Toney, who eventually left Peterborough for Championship side Brentford, was a target for Celtic last summer. However, according to Fry, the former SPFL champions messed about too much in their attempts to sign the 25-year-old, resulting in their failure to acquire his services.

Toney has since gone on to become the deadliest striker in English football’s second division, showing Celtic what they have missed out on. He has already scored an incredible 28 goals in the Championship this season and is now being linked with a move to the Premier League.

Discussing Celtic’s failure to sign Toney last summer, Fry told FFC in an exclusive interview:

“Toney would have got 40/50 goals playing in Scotland, no disrespect to Scottish Football. He would have been a sensation because Toney doesn’t only score goals, he makes goals. He doesn’t only score goals and make goals, he’s also the best defender we’ve had. He goes back for corners and free-kicks and nine out of 10 times, he’s the one that clears it out the box.

“And he’s hungry. He wants to listen, he wants to learn, he wants to improve. He’ll go to the very top, Ivan Toney, that’s for sure. I’m sure they [Celtic] do [regret not signing Toney] already. I’m sure they regret it, not breaking the bank for him.”

Indeed, losing out on Toney certainly looks like an opportunity missed. Having surrendered their title to rivals Rangers in disappointing fashion, the Bhoys could have done with having a player of the Brentford forward’s quality in their squad.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that attacker Roberto Firmino is in contention to face Arsenal this evening after missing three matches prior to the international break with a knock – prompting many Reds supporters to go wild for this news.

Firmino arguably hasn’t displayed the same brilliant form at times over 2020/2021 as supporters have seen him produce in the past, with talkSPORT pundit Jamie O’Hara recently suggesting he should become a bit-part player for the Reds.

However, as Klopp’s side aim to finish a disappointing title defence as strongly as possible, with Liverpool still in contention for a Europa League spot, Firmino’s possible presence could come as a boost in the form of another option.

As the Reds boss confirms he is indeed in contention to face Arsenal, many Liverpool fans buzzed over this news – with one supporter wowed whilst calling the update ‘another boost’.

These fans, ahead of the clash tonight, will be hoping the Brazilian can add to his six goals and seven assists in all competitions if he is in fact selected by Klopp.

Find all of their reactions to this injury update down below.

Liverpool fans go wild for Firmino update

“Wow congratulations Liverpool family another boost”

Credit: @AuwalRAbdullah1

“YESSSSS”

Credit: @ayyaz_97

“SIUUUU”

Credit: @JAMESFF9

“Can’t wait to see you my man”

Credit: @EmamuAly

“Yessss Bobby”

Credit: @M_borlarjoko

“Finally football can be enjoyable again.”

Credit: @Romevoice

“glad to see him back”

Credit: @oetjoktheo12

“Can’t wait to see him teasing Arsenal like he usually do”

Credit: @nzemaxima

“Arsenal sweating rn”

Credit: @eric_kish

In other news: Liverpool fans also reacted as James Pearce relayed news, find out more here.

Southampton are reportedly one of the Premier League clubs most interested in signing Brentford left-back Rico Henry, and if he were to make the move to St Mary’s, he could be a great addition to Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side.

According to the Evening Standard, Henry is likely to be a Premier League player next season regardless of whether or not the Bees earn promotion, and Southampton are leading the interest in the 23-year-old.

The Saints are clearly in the market for a left-back, as they have just Ryan Bertrand available as a natural option in the current squad, and his contract is currently set to expire at the end of the season.

Meanwhile, Jake Vokins’ lack of appearances on loan with Sunderland in League One suggests that he is some way off becoming a regular with the Saints, so signing someone such as Henry would make a lot of sense for Hasenhuttl.

The Englishman has been a key player for Brentford since signing from Walsall in 2016, making 121 appearances for the London club, in which he has contributed two goals and eight assists.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/southampton-saints-ralph-hasenhuttl-martin-semmens-st-marys” title=”Latest Southampton news, transfer rumours and more”]

Henry was a mainstay in Thomas Frank’s side last season as they narrowly missed out on promotion after losing to Fulham in the play-off final, as he appeared in all 49 of their fixtures, averaging a solid 6.83 WhoScored rating.

During his time at Walsall, current Aston Villa manager Dean Smith suggested that Henry was destined for a career at the top, saying: “If I were to liken him to anyone it would be a young Ashley Cole. And it’s up to him how far he can now go in the game.”

He later described the young defender as “something special” as a result of his impressive performances for Walsall as a teenager, and having now established himself as a top left-back in the Championship, it seems clear that the 23-year-old is ready for a move to the top flight.

[freshpress-quiz id=“594431″]

If Martin Semmens can convince Henry to make the switch to the south coast, it could prove to be an excellent signing. Even if Bertrand ends up prolonging his stay at St Mary’s, Henry could then go on to be his ideal long-term successor.

In other news… Signed for £9m, sold for £20m: Southampton enjoyed rare transfer success with 31 y/o liability

Carlo Ancelotti risks making an unforgivable error by chasing Alex Meret after Carlo Jacomuzzi backed Everton to sign the SSC Napoli goalkeeper.

What’s the word?

While speaking with CalcioNapoli24 TV, via Napoli Magazine, the Toffees’ former scout Jacomuzzi has sung Meret’s praises amid rumours of interest in the Italian shot-stopper from Goodison Park.

Gazzetta dello Sport, via Sport Witness, had reported that Ancelotti is an admirer of Meret following their time together in Naples, and may soon be presented with a chance to be reunited.

Meret’s relationship with Napoli is growing increasingly complicated as he refuses to accept another season as David Ospina’s understudy, having been forced to take up a rotational role this term.

The 24-year-old has only started 14 of a possible 29 Serie A fixtures under Gennaro Gattuso so far this season, and is now said to be willing to listen to offers over a move away from the Diego Armanda Maradona Stadium.

Napoli are thought to value Meret at €20m (£17m) in order to make back a large percentage of the €22m (£20m) paid to Udinese in 2019, as the one-time international is being courted by Everton.

Jacomuzzi, who was released from his role as the Toffees’ scout in Italy in late 2020, would support a move by his former employers, as Meret just needs to find the right club to prove himself.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/the-latest-everton-news-and-views” title=”The latest Everton news and views!”]

“I would definitely recommend him to the club,” Jacomuzzi said. “He’s young, and can still grow a lot. He needs to play continuously, which has not always happened. He can improve further. There’s a need to give him confidence.”

Should Everton sign Napoli’s Meret?

While Jacomuzzi would clearly back Meret making a successful switch from the Serie A to the Premier League, Ancelotti would risk making an unforgivable mistake by signing the Napoli goalkeeper this summer.

It has been claimed that Meret is being viewed by figures at Goodison Park as a replacement for Jordan Pickford, rather than as the England star’s new back-up amid doubt in the long-term future of AS Roma loanee Robin Olsen.

Ancelotti may also have lauded Meret for being a “great talent” and suggested “he reminds me of the first [Gianluigi] Buffon” during his time in charge of Napoli, but the goalkeeper has not kicked on in the years since and would actually be a downgrade on Pickford.

Over their respective performances per 90 minutes in the Serie A and Premier League this season, Meret has conceded 1.57 goals to Pickford’s 1.29 – Olsen allows 1.5 – while also registering fewer saves (2.64, 64.3%) than the Sunderland product (3.07, 72.2%), per FBref.

Meret has further conceded more often than Pickford despite boasting a superior expected post-shot goals allowed (1.18 to 1.21), showing he allows a higher number of goals where the goalkeeper would have been expected to make a save.

He is also less dominant in a sweeper-keeper role with 0.15 defensive actions outside of the penalty area to 0.49, suggesting Ancelotti would be taking a step back in the development of his Everton side by reuniting with Meret.

AND in other news, Everton have eyes on a “very good” £3.5m-rated forward available on a free transfer…