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Wolves defender Toti Gomes ‘has to start’ his side’s Premier League clash with West Ham this weekend, according to reliable journalist Liam Keen.

The Lowdown: Wolves back in action

After a long break without a game, Wanderers return to action on Saturday evening, making the trip to east London to take on the Hammers.

Bruno Lage is badly in need of a positive result after a poor beginning to the season, with Wolves going into the weekend fixtures sitting 17th in the table. West Ham are one place and two points behind them, however, highlighting the importance of Saturday’s game.

The Latest: Keen wants Gomes to start

Taking to Twitter on Friday, The Express & Star‘s Keen talked up Gomes starting the game, with Max Kilman’s role being tweaked in the process:

“Every decision is a big one and the centre-back issue is an interesting one for Wolves ahead the West Ham game. In my view, Toti Gomes has to start, which means moving Max Kilman to the right of two centre-backs – which he is more than capable of.”

The Verdict: Makes complete sense

Granted, Gomes only has five first-team appearances to his name for Wolves, none of which have come this season, but needs must at the moment, following Nathan Collins’ red card against Manchester City that has led to a three-match suspension.

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At 23, the Portuguese defender is maturing as a player and this should be viewed as a wonderful opportunity for him to prove himself to Lage, having been such a bit-part player to date.

The absence of Collins of clearly a blow for such a big match but Gomes has been described as ‘absolutely excellent’ and ‘fantastic’ by former Conor Coady and can produce an influential showing at the London Stadium.

Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has shared an Arsenal update on their transfer pursuits involving Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz.

The Lowdown: Gunners firing…

The Gunners have been firing thus far under manager Mikel Arteta and could well be contending with Premier League champions Man City for the 2022/2023 crown.

Only the Sky Blues have scored more than Arsenal domestically so far, thanks largely in part to the imperious form of marquee summer signing Erling Haaland.

That being said, Arteta remains above his former club in the table and confidence will be soaring after their 3-1 north London derby win over Tottenham last weekend.

However, given the congested nature of this fixture calendar, mainly due to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Arsenal may need to think about reinforcements mid-season.

The Latest: Romano shares Luiz update…

Writing in his CaughtOffside column, the Romano claims Luiz is ‘in the list’ as Arsenal remain interested in Villa’s midfield ace – but ‘nothing is decided’ in terms of a more formal approach.

The Brazilian is allegedly still being tracked by Arteta’s side after numerous reports over the summer linking them with a move.

The Verdict: Go in?

Arsenal were last quoted £40 million by Villa, but given he is out of contract next year, they may be forced to accept a lower fee.

Taking this into account, Emirates Stadium technical director Edu must surely consider swooping in again given Steven Gerrard’s side could lose him for free next summer.

It’s been alleged that Luiz is even keen on the move to north London, having reportedly ‘told friends’ recently that he wants to join (Football Insider).

Called a ‘fantastic player’ by journalist Gregg Evans, there certainly incentives to make a move in the winter window.

West Bromwich Albion are planning to speak with former Huddersfield Town head coach Carlos Corberan as a potential replacement for manager Steve Bruce.

The Lowdown: Bruce’s sacking

After an eight-match winless run in the Championship, the 61-year-old was sacked by the Albion on Monday with the side sitting in the relegation zone.

In 13 fixtures thus far this season, the Baggies have only won a single game, having gained just 11 points to date.

Upon his departure, Bruce leaves the Midlands club with a 25%-win ratio; he won eight, drew 12 and lost 12 of his 32 games in charge at the Hawthorns since his arrival in February.

The Latest: Interest in Corberan

According to BBC Sport, West Brom are now keen to speak with Corberan over their vacant managerial position at the Hawthorns.

The 39-year-old was previously with the Terriers in the Championship, having impressively led the side from a 20th place finish in his first season to the brink of promotion in his second year.

Following this, Corberan resigned with two years left on his contract.

Most recently, he joined Olympiakos in August, but after a disappointing start to the season, he was sacked by the Greek club.

The Verdict: Championship experience

Having averaged a strong 1.41 points per match with Huddersfield during his 102-game reign at the club between 2020 and 2022, the Spaniard clearly has the experience needed in the Championship to turn things around with the Baggies.

Hailed by former Huddersfield boss Danny Cowley for his ‘outstanding’ work with the Terriers, Corberan certainly impressed during his time in the English second division.

Therefore, with the Albion’s need for deviation away from their usual defensive appointments, the likes of the 39-year-old will signal a huge intent to the rest of the league as the Baggies continue to fight back for promotion to the Premier League.

Holders Celtic marched on into the semi-finals of the League Cup with an emphatic victory over Motherwell on Wednesday evening, with Ange Postecoglou’s side putting four past their hapless hosts with a brutal showing at Fir Park.

Fresh from having hit Hibernian for six at Parkhead just a few days earlier, the Old Firm outfit were again in rampant mood against Steven Hammell’s side last night, with dynamic forward Liel Abada grabbing the headlines as a result of his clinical brace.

The Israel international put the visitors ahead inside the first half after rounding off a well-worked move involving the lively Greg Taylor, before calmly slotting home after the break following opposition goalkeeper, Liam Kelly’s, tame parry.

That showing has taken the 21-year-old’s tally to eight in all competitions so far this season, with such form seemingly backing suggestions that the flying winger could now be worth as much as £15m in the near future.

It was not only the promising youngster who caught the eye, however, with Japan international Reo Hatate once again proving a thorn in the side of the Steelmen, having helped secure all three points when the two sides met earlier this season.

That previous meeting had seen the 24-year-old lash home a stunning strike after Josip Juranovic’s own goal had cancelled out Kyogo Furuhashi’s opener, although this time around the diminutive ace picked apart the opposition in a far more silky manner.

The £14.5k-per-week sensation arguably ran the show from his midfield berth on the night, notably teeing up compatriot Kyogo early in the opening period with a threaded cutback, only to see the tenacious forward somehow put his attempt wide.

The creative gem would again play in his international colleague soon after only for the forward to see his close-range shot brilliantly saved by the aforementioned Kelly, as Postecoglou’s men enjoyed a seemingly unrelenting spell of pressure.

Hatate’s most telling contribution, however, would come just past the hour mark to put his side 3-0 up, with the one-cap starlet producing an outrageous piece of trickery inside the penalty area to calmly slot the ball home, having left Well to “look like schoolboys” in the words of journalist John McGinley.

A ‘key’ figure in that triumph – as per Glasgow Live’s Ben Banks – the former Kawasaki Frontale man has again shown just what an asset he is to the Scottish champions, with his reported £1.4m fee looking more of a bargain with each passing game.

One Tottenham star is now hoping to make his injury comeback in December, which could ease another imminent blow for manager Ange Postecoglou.

Spurs absentee list growing

Midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur, in what was a hammer setback for the Uruguayan, sustained ankle ligament damage in Spurs' 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa last weekend. Bentancur is now expected to be sidelined till February, just weeks after he returned to the field from a lengthy nine-month lay-off.

Spurs "ready" to move for "very strong" centre-back likened to Saliba

If he’s anything like the Arsenal star he’d be a great coup…

ByEmilio Galantini Nov 29, 2023

The 26-year-old joins a long list of currently unavailable Spurs players, including the likes of James Maddison, Micky van de Ven, Ivan Perisic, Manor Solomon, Ryan Sessegnon and Richarlison.

Spurs are also facing the imminent absences of Pape Matar Sarr, Yves Bissouma and Son Heung-min – who are all away on international duties at the very start of January.

They travel to represent their nations at AFCON and the Asia Cup respectively, a scenario which seems nightmarish for Postecoglou given the Spurs manager's real lack of options.

Tottenham have a tough festival schedule to contend with in the mean time, with league champions Man City, rivals West Ham and high-flying Newcastle awaiting them soon.

Richarlison hoping for December comeback

According to The Evening Standard and journalist Dan Kilpatrick, though, one injured Spurs star in Richarlison is hoping to ease the pressure on Postecoglou with a December return.

Indeed, Richarlison is aiming for an injury comeback before 2024 after undergoing surgery on his pubic bone, which would "ease the blow" of Son going away mid-season. The Brazilian, who's racked up a goal and three assists in 10 Premier League appearances this season, hasn't featured since Spurs' 2-1 win away to Palace in October.

He was on the bench for their first defeat of the season against Chelsea at the start of this month, but has since been sidelined following his treatment. While Richarlison has suffered his fair share of criticism since joining Spurs from Everton in 2022, the forward provides a different option for Tottenham.

Able to play both as a central striker and on the wings, having him back for what is a tough Christmas schedule will be a breath of fresh air for the Lilywhites with so many out right now.

Gets fouled often

Likes to cut inside

Indirect set-piece threat

Likes to tackle

Speaking after Richarlison's heroics during a 2-1 win over Sheffield United earlier this season, Postecoglou praised the "fantastic footballer".

“We’ve got to maintain a balance in life and even for him," said Postecoglou, via TEAMtalk. "He needs to understand his football is still good, he’s a fantastic footballer, he’s got so much to give and that can help ease the burden he’s feeling in other parts of his life, like so many of us.

“I’m really pleased for him – I thought he did really well. We were obviously chasing a goal and getting some balls in the box and he’s always a threat in the air.”

Aston Villa owners NSWE will hand Unai Emery a ‘huge’ January transfer budget, according to Football Insider.

The Lowdown: £400m+

Villa have spent big since returning to the Premier League back in 2019, with Emery the third top-flight manager under NSWE after Dean Smith and Steven Gerrard.

The club have spent more than £400m since 2019/20, with Villa’s eight most expensive signings of all time all joining in the last three years.

It looks as if more big spending is around the corner, though, with Villa looking to climb away from the relegation zone under Emery.

The Latest: ‘Huge’ budget

FI reporter Wayne Veysey shared a story on Thursday morning, revealing that Villa will hand Emery a ‘huge’ January transfer kitty.

He added that NSWE have made it clear to Emery they will back him with another round of big-money additions.

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The Verdict: Exciting times

Villa haven’t had the best of starts to the season and are still without an away win, so it’s good to see that NSWE have made promises to Emery about improving the squad.

You’d expect the new Villa manager will want a few fresh faces in the New Year, with one eye on the summer window ahead of his first full season.

It’ll be interesting to see which areas of the squad he wants to bolster, with Villarreal winger Yeremy Pino already being linked.

Scottish champions Celtic are reportedly plotting a move to bolster their ranks in January, with manager Ange Postecoglou seemingly eyeing a new midfield recruit.

What’s the word?

According to Football Insider, the Old Firm outfit are said to have set aside a ‘significant’ sum in order to splash out on a new central midfielder in the winter window, with the title-winning coach set to receive further backing from the Hoops’ hierarchy.

The report suggests that the Parkhead giants are targeting a ‘proven’ asset who can line up in front of the back four, despite having only just brought in the likes of Aaron Mooy and Oliver Abildgaard over the summer.

Postecoglou has only recently confirmed that the Glasgow side have already shifted their attention towards the upcoming window, with the January market having proven fruitful last term as the likes of Matt O’Riley, Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate all arrived through the door.

Ditch Ideguchi

That influx of talent also included Japanese midfielder Yosuke Ideguchi, although unlike the names mentioned above, the 26-year-old has struggled to make an impact in his new surroundings, having become something of a forgotten figure at Celtic Park.

The arrival of a new acquisition could well be the final straw with regard to the diminutive dud’s time at the club, having previously been tipped for a departure over the summer amid his struggles for game time.

That lack of impact has largely been due to injury, however, with the former Gamba Osaka man having sustained a knee issue just a matter of weeks into his time in Scotland, ensuring that the 15-cap machine went on to make just six appearances in all competitions in the tail-end of last season.

A further complaint at the start of the current campaign has again kept the 5-foot-7 playmaker restricted to a watching brief, with the one-time Leeds United man having failed to make an appearance thus far, albeit while featuring on the bench in three of the club’s last four games.

To not even earn a single minute of action in the League Cup victory over Motherwell last week has seemingly emphasised just how far down the pecking order the £15.5k-per-week outcast is at present, with any new addition only set to further harm his slim chance of involvement.

Should a fresh face arrive at Celtic Park in the New Year, it could well be the ideal time for Postecoglou to ditch his struggling asset, even if Ideguchi’s current deal is set to run until 2026.

Journalist Josh Bunting has been left stunned by Celtic midfielder Reo Hatate’s surprise omission from Japan’s squad for the 2022 World Cup.

The Lowdown: Hatate left out of World Cup squad

The 24-year-old has proved to be an excellent signing the Hoops, adding quality and dynamism to their midfield and starting eight Scottish Premiership games this season.

On Tuesday, it was confirmed that both Hatate and Kyogo Furuhashi have not been selected in Japan’s World Cup squad, while teammate Daizen Maeda has made the 26-man list.

It certainly comes across as a strange decision, considering the Celtic man has been capped by his country and appears to be improving all the time.

The Latest: Bunting shocked by news

Taking to Twitter, Bunting of the Islington Gazette was left bewildered by the decision, providing his thoughts on the situation:

“I am stunned Reo Hatate hasn’t made the Japanese squad, honestly can’t believe that. His technical ability alone is just so so good. Not saying he should go and start every single match but what I am saying is he would be a great option from the bench with his vision.”

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The Verdict: Very strange decision

This is a cruel blow for Hatate, who will no doubt be shattered by the news, given his incredible form this season and the magnitude of a World Cup for any international player.

It’s certainly a massive call by the Japan national team, considering they don’t have an array of players performing across Europe’s major leagues, and it remains to be seen if it will backfire.

The hope is that this update doesn’t have a negative impact on Hatate’s form for Celtic – he currently ranks as their second-best midfielder this season, as per Whoscored – and Ange Postecoglou now has a job on his hands picking his player up.

Tottenham Hotspur will put their focus on bolstering two key areas of Antonio Conte’s squad after the World Cup break.

One of the positions that Lilywhites sporting director Fabio Paratici will look to target is a backup forward, according to 90min this week, and there are a few names mentioned in the report, including Memphis Depay and Blackburn Rovers sensation Ben Brereton Diaz.

Perhaps most interestingly, there is a link to former Stoke City flop Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who has somewhat emerged as a late-bloomer for Bayern Munich following Robert Lewandowski’s departure in the summer.

On the face of it, this would be a pretty bizarre move from the hierarchy at Hotspur Way, particularly given the £60m arrival of Richarlison only a few months ago but injuries have still plagued Conte’s frontline to the point of Harry Kane appearing to be fatigued in training on the eve of England’s Group B opener against Iran.

Spurs also lack a ‘plan B’ of sorts and Choupo-Moting can offer something that few of the Englishman’s backups cannot – a towering target man presence as he stands at 6 foot 3 inches.

Several years ago, the Lilywhites had the luxury of being able to upon the reliable Fernando Llorente – who just like the Bayern star, 33 – was a vastly-experienced option and cost a bargain £12.1m.

The ageing Spaniard would go onto play a big part in Tottenham’s run to the Champions League final back in 2019 and he also featured in other cup competitions such as the FA Cup.

Choupo-Moting could fulfil a very similar role for Conte several years on – so far this season, the Cameroon international has found the net 11 times across 16 appearances in all competitions, including important goals against FC Barcelona and Inter Milan in Europe.

A goal against the latter outfit led to Forbes journalist Manuel Veth to laud the £58.5k-per-week striker’s season so far as “unbelievable,” whilst in the past, his former Paris Saint-Germain boss Thomas Tuchel described him as a “positive” and “top-level” character, which bodes well for his influence in and around the dressing room when minutes may be hard to come by.

It remains to be seen how much the 33-year-old would command but if he shows little sign of renewing his contract at the Allianz Arena, then he’d be available for free in the summer, leaving Bayern’s hands somewhat tied in January.

As such, Paratici could well sign Spurs their next Llorente in Choupo-Moting.

AND in other news, Paratici to monitor £174k-p/w World Cup star ahead of January, he’d be “unreal” for Spurs…

Celtic midfielder James McCarthy is set for a spell on the sidelines after picking up an injury in training ahead of tonight’s Premiership game against Motherwell. 

The Lowdown: Celtic in action

The Hoops are back in action with an away clash at Fir Park, following on from their 4-2 home win over Dundee United last weekend.

Tonight’s showdown is Celtic’s penultimate game before the World Cup break, as Ange Postecoglou’s side will be taking on Ross County on Saturday in front of their home crowd.

Unfortunately, it appears that one man in the Hoops’ squad has suffered an injury blow ahead of tonight’s game.

The Latest: McCarthy injury blow

Speaking ahead of the clash against Motherwell, Postecoglou confirmed that McCarthy has shipped a “significant” hamstring knock which has ruled him out of action.

The Celtic manager said: “James McCarthy, unfortunately, picked up a hamstring injury in training. He will miss out – it’s quite a significant one. Obviously with the break coming, he will be back training by the group [after the break].”

The Verdict: A worry for McCarthy

The 31-year-old has only made five appearances for the Bhoys across all competitions this season totalling 62 minutes, which might suggest that he isn’t a particularly important player for the club.

With that in mind, this injury blow seems to be more of an issue for McCarthy rather than Celtic, who have been doing quite well without having him on the pitch for the majority of the season.

Nonetheless, this will still be an unfortunate setback for Postecoglou, as it deprives him of one option in his squad, which could be even more galling should any of his other midfielders pick up an injury.

Therefore, it’s probably a good thing that the Hoops have a lengthy break ahead of them, as that will give McCarthy the chance to recover without having to miss too many games.