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Former Premier League striker Kevin Phillips believes Ezgjan Alioski will leave Leeds United this summer, which could allow Marcelo Bielsa to make new signings.

The 29-year-old played all 90 minutes of Saturday’s 0-0 draw at home to Chelsea in what was an impressive result for the Whites.

Alioski has featured in 26 of Leeds’ 28 league games this season, but his future at Elland Road is in serious doubt, having not yet agreed to sign a new deal at the club.

The North Macedonian’s current contract expires at the end of this campaign and there have been rumours of a potential move to Galatasaray.

Phillips tips Alioski to leave Leeds

Someone who thinks Alioski moving on would be for the better is ex-Premier League Golden Boot winner Phillips, who told Football Insider that it makes sense for the left-back to depart Elland Road before the start of next season:

“They’ve had their time together, Leeds and Alioski. It’s time for club and player to move on. He’s been a good servant. He’s played at left-back at times this season and that’s not his position so he’ll probably go somewhere where he can play in that natural role.

“It’s the right time for Leeds to free up a wage as well and that will help them to bring someone else in during the summer.

“You shake his hand to say well done and thank you for your efforts and both parties will move on.”

Transfer Tavern take

Alioski has been a good servant for Leeds over the past four seasons, making 161 appearances and helping the Whites return to the Premier League, but perhaps it is time for him to leave, as Phillips has suggested.

At 29, he isn’t getting any younger as a player and there are more youthful alternatives who could offer more in the long run, such as 21-year-old Leif Davis, who only has two substitute appearances to his name in the league this term.

In other news, Leeds are reportedly looking to sign a Premier League stalwart this summer. Find out who it is here.

Carlo Ancelotti should urge Everton to sign Keven Schlotterbeck amid claims Goodison Park is a potential destination for the SC Freiburg defender.

What’s the word?

According to Bild journalist Christian Falk, the Toffees have become aware of Schlotterbeck following a strong run in Christian Streich’s backline at the Schwarzwald-Stadion this season.

The 23-year-old centre-back is expected to be an inexpensive option in the summer market, and is considered as the next Bundesliga star to earn Premier League interest after Leeds signed Robin Koch for £13m last year.

Schlotterbeck returned to Freiburg after spending the 2019/20 season on loan with 1. FC Union Berlin to replace Koch at the Schwarzwald-Stadion, and has since started 13 of his 14 Bundesliga appearances after being inserted into Streich’s plans in November.

Freiburg had won just one of their initial eight German top-flight fixtures before Schlotterbeck made his first start of the term, but have since won seven of the following 12 while keeping three clean sheets to move up to eighth in the table.

Oliver Ruhnert, Union Berlin’s Director of Football, vastly rated Schlotterbeck’s talents for the Stadion An der Alten Forsterei side, noting: “Schlotterbeck is an excellent fit for our central-defender profile.

“He is young, highly talented and has already proven his skills at the highest level in the Bundesliga.”

Should Everton sign Schlotterbeck?

If Schlotterbeck is available for a similar fee to what Leeds paid Freiburg for Koch last summer, Ancelotti should absolutely urge Farhad Moshiri to fund a pursuit by Everton.

Schlotterbeck’s presence in Streich’s backline inspired a seismic change of fortunes for Breisgau-Brasilianer earlier this season, and has helped to inspire Bundesliga victories over TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and Borussia Dortmund plus draws with Borussia Monchengladbach and Eintracht Frankfurt.

Ancelotti could form an imperious wall in front of the Everton goal if the Italian were to sign Schlotterbeck, as his efforts in Germany have often been at a higher level than what the Toffees have seen in the Premier League from Yerry Mina and Michael Keane in an array of aspects.

Freiburg fans have seen Schlotterbeck offer Streich 1.4 successful tackles a game in the Bundesliga this term, compared to the one Blues fans see from Mina and 0.8 from Keane in the English top-flight thus far, per SofaScore.

Schlotterbeck also offers more interceptions (2) than all Everton defenders (Ben Godfrey, 1.6, offers the most), clearances (5.2, Mina offers a team-high 4.7) and significantly more ground duels won (3.2) than Mina (1.7) or Keane (0.9).

Though Schlotterbeck lacks in the air with 1.9 contests won per game to Mina (3.3) – only Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s 4.5 is higher at Goodison Park.

But Ancelotti can make up for Schlotterbeck’s shortfalls in the air by playing the 6 ft 2 centre-half beside Mina, in what could prove to be an ideal defensive partnership.

AND in other news, Everton are monitoring an “exciting” teen prospect Carlo Ancelotti could sign for free…

Many Manchester United fans were left to slam the display of Mason Greenwood in their 0-0 home draw with Real Sociedad in the UEFA Europa League.

Having won 4-0 away from home in the first leg already, it was always going to be an uphill task for the La Liga club, but Dan James gave away a penalty kick for a needless foul very early on in the first half before Mikel Oyarzabal blazed his shot wide to give Ole Gummar Solskjaer’s men a lucky escape at Old Trafford.

While James may have received a lot of criticism, the performance of Greenwood flattered to deceive several MUFC supporters too.

The England international lost out on three of his duels and also lost possession of the ball no fewer than eight times in the game in total (Sofascore).

He was largely ineffective throughout most parts of the match, even recording fewer touches than his own goalkeeper in Dean Henderson, as he earned a quite measly 6.8 overall rating on Sofascore, the joint-second lowest out of any of his teammates to have started on the pitch.

Manchester United fan reaction to Greenwood display

These Red Devils slammed his performance on Twitter, with one supporter even going as far to claim that the 19-year-old was ‘terrible’:

“Williams is a maniac and is RUBBISH Lindelof I just want him sold I’ve never rated him Greenwood did nothing as usual #MUFC #EuropaLeague”

Credit: @hanlonstweets

“Greenwood needs to step up here. Not in the game, again. #mufc”

Credit: @kick_in_grass

“Greenwood needs to wake up yo”

Credit: @LouieDi13

“Greenwood was terrible today I’m sorry”

Credit: @MUFCROCC0

“Greenwood is a selfish player who only shoots, which is worrying for a player with 1 goal in the league”

Credit: @utd_Jasonn

“Another stinker from Greenwood”

Credit: @Pogbadrip

In other news, find out whose display was slammed in the first leg here!

According to reports, Aston Villa defender Bjorn Engels could be set for an exit from the club in the January transfer window.

What’s the story?

The centre-back has yet to play a single minute of competitive football this season for Dean Smith’s side, with injuries takings its toll on the 26-year-old.

Now, Belgian publication Voetbalkrant claim that he is likely to depart this month, and that he could potentially return to boyhood club Club Brugge in his native Belgium.

Villa have to sell him

With the likes of Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa and Kortney Hause all ahead of him in the pecking order, it just seems the smart move on Villa’s part to cut their losses on Engels.

The £55k-a-week wages he is on is a lot of money for a side like Villa to be paying, especially when you consider he isn’t anywhere near the first-team picture at the moment.

Smith appears to have found his favoured central defensive partnership in Mings and Konsa, and when the former was injured, Hause stepped in and didn’t miss a beat.

Villa certainly could do with a bit more depth in the position, especially if they suffer any more injuries. But Engels isn’t someone who they should be looking to rely upon, and if Brugge’s interest is firmed up with a bid this January, then Johan Lange simply has to take it.

The likes of Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens won’t want to be paying good for a money who isn’t part of the plan. And given Engels cost £9m to sign, and has been on £55k-a-week since, he’s cost the club a whopping £13.1m in total fees. Villa simply have to get rid.

Former Premier League striker Michael Brown believes that Georginio Wijnaldum deserves to be one of the highest earners at the club.

Wijnaldum pay rise?

The 30-year-old’s future at Anfield has been uncertain for some time with his contract due to expire at the end of the season, but he continues to be a regular for Jurgen Klopp, who previously described the midfielder as “perfect.”

Since moving to Merseyside from relegated Newcastle United in 2016, Wijnaldum has gone on to score 21 goals and provide 16 assists from 211 appearances (TransferMarkt). Most notably, his contributions during Liverpool’s emphatic 4-0 win against Barcelona in 2019 will be what the Dutchman is remembered for – having embedded himself into the club’s folklore.

Speaking with Football Insider, Brown believes that Wijnaldum deserves to be right up there at the top of the Anfield earners.

He said: “I think when your contract is coming to an end like it is, you’ve answered the question, yes, because ultimately he hasn’t gotten any time left to run so he has to be getting paid in parity to the others.

“You’ve got to look what he contributes, he gives them everything. I just think he’s managed to tick his contract down and he’s in a very, very strong position, and he’ll get some great offers from around Europe, that’s a fact.”

Transfer Tavern Verdict

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano did confirm that a contract offer was on the table for Wijnaldum – but he is in discussions with his family regarding what he wants to do next.

Due to the current economic climate, it would be unreasonable for him to expect a pay packet similar to Mohamed Salah, who is Liverpool’s highest earner on £200k-per-week (Spotrac).

The Kop faithful will be understandably disappointed if he opts to leave – with Barcelona possibly being his next destination if that was to happen. That being said, it all depends what sort of deal the Reds have tabled for his continued services going forward.

In other news, Fabrizio Romano provided intriguing transfer update on Liverpool’s interest in Kylian Mbappe.

Tottenham Hotspur are on the search for another centre-back during the winter transfer window if emerging reports are to be believed…

What’s the word?

That’s according to 90min, who claim that Jose Mourinho is keen to bolster his backline further with a fresh addition from Europe this January, though the north Londoners do not want to spend much over £15m, which could prove tricky.

One name on the list of potential targets is Borussia Dortmund youngster Dan-Axel Zagadou, who figures at the club have previously been interested in.

The 21-year-old is highly-rated by Spurs, though it remains to be seen how likely a move for him will be as he’s currently sidelined through injury. He is due back in training this month.

Bye-bye Sanchez

With Toby Alderweireld out through injury, Jose Mourinho only has two senior options in the central defensive role for their Europa League fixtures in the shape of £42m flop Davinson Sanchez and midfielder-turned-defender Eric Dier.

The inexperienced Joe Rodon is able to fill in for Premier League matches, having joined the club after the UEL’s squad registration deadline. There is also the possibility of playing Japhet Tanganga in the middle, but the academy graduate is seen as a dynamic full-back by the Portuguese boss.

It also appears that Sanchez has no long-term future at the club either, so the need for a new centre-back is only going to increase further in 2021.

The 24-year-old has not featured for Spurs in the league since their embarrassing 3-3 draw with rivals West Ham. In fact, his appearance on the bench against Chelsea this weekend was the first time he was named in the squad in five outings. That’s how little faith the ‘Special One’ has in him now.

According to Colombian reports, the Mauricio Pochettino signing has been ‘erased’ from the squad by Mourinho.

Zagadou, whilst injured, would be a decent replacement to consider, especially when he’s valued at a fraction of Sanchez’s price, at just €20m (£18m) by CIES.

As a player who can also play at left-back, he could be the perfect player to fill the void left behind by Jan Vertonghen. Last season, the Dortmund beast averaged 2.3 aerials won, 2.3 clearances, 1.1 tackles and a passing success rate of 91.1% per game in the Bundesliga, via WhoScored.

BVB boss Lucien Favre has waxed lyrical about the Frenchman too, he said: “His development’s been fantastic. He’s now played eight games in a row and shows great anticipation. He’s outstanding.”

Whilst sporting director Michael Zorc has also been impressed by his ability, claiming that he’s a player with “huge potential” to Kicker (via Bulinews).

The 6 foot 5 colossus has previously been linked with Arsenal, so it would be one cunning and beneficial swoop from Daniel Levy, especially if he can drive his price down to that magic £15m number.

AND in other news, Forget Hojbjerg: Divisive Spurs star was Mourinho’s real hero at Chelsea…

Since his arrival from Amiens on transfer deadline day, Bongani Zungu hasn’t had the smoothest of starts at Glasgow Rangers.

The 28-year-old has had a gradual start to life at Ibrox – with just 283 minutes of first-team action so far this season – and it hasn’t all been plain-sailing for the South African midfielder, who ran out of steam after the break against St Mirren.

Glasgow Live were equally scathing in their assessment, claiming he was solid albeit ‘nothing spectacular’, whilst he ‘didn’t protect the back four well enough in the second half.’

Whilst Zungu struggled against St Mirren, particularly in the second half, Steven Davis outshone the South Africa international during his brief cameo against the Buddies, as he came off the bench to level the score.

Ultimately, his efforts were in vain, as Steven Gerrard’s side crashed out of the competition thanks to a last-gasp winner from Connor McCarthy, but this doesn’t mean that his drive and determination should be ignored nor indeed go unnoticed.

Davis’ importance is something that has become blindingly obvious over the past few months or so, with Alex McLeish waxing lyrical about his former charge after he became the most-capped player for his country in the Euro 2020 playoff semi-final against Bosnia-Herzegovina in October.

He told Ibrox News: “It’s quite an incredible feat when you think about.

“It’s really amazing. Steven has been some servant to his clubs and country.

“I’ve always liked him as a player. I liked him every since I was in the Premier League with Birmingham City, when he played for Fulham. I thought he was a great signing by Walter Smith when he brought him in first time round, and he really transformed Rangers’ midfield.

“That’s what we really need to see from Rangers if they’re to be successful – a midfield controller of the ilk that Steven is. Of course, he’s still there and he’s found a little bit of his top fitness again, and he is an outstanding performer.”

And with Motherwell next on the agenda, the timing couldn’t be better for Gerrard to bring the Northern Irishman to back into the fold, especially when you consider the fact that he hasn’t started in the past three games in a row.

With games coming thick and fast between now and Christmas, coupled with the fact that the Old Firm derby is a matter of weeks away, the Ibrox boss will be well aware that he will have to manage Davis very carefully, as he can ill afford to lose one of his best players to injury before the mouth-watering clash with Celtic at the top of the table.

But giving the 35-year-old, who earns wages worth £18,000-per-week, the chance to get some minutes under his belt against the fifth-placed Steelmen could prove vital later down the line.

AND in other news, Ross Wilson must cut his losses and sell Glasgow Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos in January…

Leeds United’s first-team have been very exciting to follow this season, but their U23s outfit have arguably been just as interesting this term too.

The Whites signed many young talents this summer with the likes of Sam Greenwood, Cody Drameh and Joe Gelhardt joining the Elland Road outfit, but perhaps the most exciting player in that team joined last year.

Indeed, Stuart McKinstry looks like he’s ready to make in-roads towards a place in the first-team at Leeds and we can understand why.

Phil Hay has recently speculated that he’s close to the first-team picture at the club on a recent episode of The Next Big Thing podcast, saying:

“It’s development for him at the moment, but you’ll be noticing that quite a few younger players are starting to go out of Leeds on loan now.

“McKinstry’s still in the building and I think is most likely to stay in the building for now, and those that [Marcelo] Bielsa feels are closest to the first-team picture are the ones that he wants to stick around.”

You can understand why Bielsa wants to keep McKinstry close by, the winger has undergone a meteoric rise since joining Leeds last summer, quickly making the jump from U18s football to the U23s despite being just 16 at the beginning of the season.

He was an excellent addition to the U23s as well, netting two goals in seven appearances while working under Carlos Corberan last term.

McKinstry has just turned 18 and he’s already training with the first-team and impressing the manager while doing so, and it isn’t just Bielsa who has been impressed by what the Scot offers.

When McKinstry signed his new deal last year, Danny Mills described him as a ‘very talented’ player, and that is high praise from a former England international.

Of course, senior football is a massive step up, but it looks as though McKinstry is getting closer and closer to making his United debut and everyone close to the club can’t stop raving about him.

Leeds have just one week of international duty remaining until they prepare to take on Arsenal in their next Premier League fixture. It will be viewed as a must-win game by the Whites, who have slipped all the way down into worrying territory in the bottom half of the table.

Stuart Dallas suffered an arm injury in his recent performance for Northern Ireland. Whilst the club haven’t delivered an update on this, it looked a painful one at the time for the left-back. Should he be ruled out of the upcoming Arsenal match, Marcelo Bielsa may be forced to rely on young Leif Davis to replace him.

Leif Davis will have his work cut out vs Arsenal

The 20-year-old defender, who Bielsa said in 2019 “gives everything”, has made just one appearance for Leeds this season. Davis made a 13-minute cameo against Manchester City to see out their shock 1-1 draw, which is already an improvement on the 13 minutes he played in total across three substitute appearances last campaign (via Transfermarkt).

Not only will the youngster have some big boots to fill, but he will be up against a major talent in the Arsenal ranks. Nicolas Pepe signed for the Gunners for a mammoth £72million and despite falling out of favour under Mikel Arteta, he could get a chance to start against Leeds.

Arsenal will likely see this as a match they can win easily and may fall into the treat of fielding a weakened team in order to rest up key players. This is where Leeds will have the chance to drop a shock masterclass on them, but every part of the team must be alert.

Bielsa will already be thinking about this. Earlier this year, he waxed lyrical about Pepe and branded him a “huge talent” whilst justifying his hefty price tag. The Argentinian will be aware of his skill on the ball and will know that he must try to silence his performance or risk some dangerous balls into the box.

If Davis is the man to replace Dallas, Bielsa must work hard with him to ensure that he is ready to match the 25-year-old speedster. A strong performance could may well put him in contention to bag more minutes this season.

In other news, New Bryce Hosannah contract will give Leeds much-needed depth…

With less than a couple of weeks to go in this summer transfer window, West Ham will have to get their act together to ensure they aren’t left wanting by the end of it.

David Moyes’ side have endured a miserable time of late, with nothing of real positivity either on the pitch or off it. Hammers fans have watched Grady Diangana leave the club to join newly-promoted West Brom, whilst they have kick-started the new Premier League campaign with two defeats from two.

Spot the fact from the fib: Are these Premier League records true or false?

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According to Football Insider, West Ham are lining up a move for Club Brugge star Hans Vanaken before the deadline, and that he is keen on adding a player who can score more goals from midfield.

Vanaken – who earns a reported £35k-a-week – has been a remarkable player for Brugge, bagging back-to-back Belgian Golden Shoe awards in 2018 and 2019, becoming the first player since Jan Ceulemans in 1986 to do so.

Last season saw him net 13 times in 29 games in the league, despite playing most of his games from either the number ten role or even deeper.

With five caps for Belgium, and experience of playing in the Champions League too, Vanaken would bring a wealth of quality to the Hammers midfield, and add another string to the bow for Moyes.

If they can get a deal over the line, it could be a really shrewd piece of business.