Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou has dropped a teasing injury update concerning the return of midfielder David Turnbull.
What’s the latest?
In recent comments cited by the Daily Record, the 56-year-old Bhoys manager revealed that the 22-year-old, who has not featured for the Hoops since the 3-1 Scottish League Cup final victory over Hibernian back in December, is finally close to recovering from his hamstring injury – with the Scotland international expected to rejoin first-team training in the not too distant future.
Speaking about the current condition of Turnbull, Postecoglou said: “Turnbull is almost back training.”
Fans will be buzzing
Considering just how important a part of Postecoglou’s side Turnbull had proven to be earlier this season, the news that the 22-year-old is finally close to making a return to first-team action is sure to have left the Parkhead faithful buzzing.
Indeed, over his 18 Premiership appearances in the current campaign, the £5.85m-rated attacking midfielder has been in breathtaking form for the Bhoys, scoring five goals, registering four assists and creating seven big chances for his teammates, as well as making an average of 4.1 key passes – the most of any player in the league – and taking 3.7 shots – the second-most in the division – per game.
These returns have seen the £14k-per-week Scotsman average an almost unbelievable SofaScore match rating of 7.87, ranking him as the best player in the top flight of Scottish football.
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As such, while Celtic have been on an incredibly impressive run of form without the former Motherwell midfield maestro – remaining undefeated in their last 21 league fixtures, only three of which have been draws – it is clear for all to see that the return of Turnbull will undoubtedly provide the Hoops’ hopes of going on to reclaim their Premiership crown with a major boost.
In other news: Forget Scales: “Really Poor” Celtic dud with 30 touches made Ange look foolish vs Bodo
Celtic have informed striker Albian Ajeti that he’s free to walk away in the summer, according to Football Insider.
The lowdown
Celtic paid just under £5million to sign Ajeti from West Ham United in August 2020.
In all, he’s made 48 appearances for the Hoops, but only managed to score nine goals in addition to five assists.
This season, the Swiss forward has been limited to just three league starts, though it’s worth noting he did miss two and a half months of action with a hamstring problem.
The 25-year-old is now valued at £2.25million at Transfermarkt and still has around two and a half years left on his £18,000-per-week contract (the fifth-biggest at the club).
The latest
A source at the club has told FI that Ange Postecoglou doesn’t see Ajeti as part of his squad going forward, in what the outlet call a ‘major update’ before Livingston.
As such, they’ll be receptive to any offers they receive when the transfer window opens.
They add that, at this stage, it looks more likely that he’ll leave on loan.
The verdict
A summer move would be best for both parties.
Celtic, for their part, would surely hope to agree a wage split with any loan club, reducing the financial burden.
They already have the likes of Kyogo Furuhashi and Giorgos Giakoumakis as centre forward options, and the duo have struck a combined 18 goals this season.
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Ajeti clearly finds himself well down the pecking order and a move may be just what he needs as he looks to secure a place in the Switzerland squad for the upcoming World Cup.
He was called up in October but missed out in November, suggesting his fate hangs in the balance.
In other news, Celtic could be about to bank seven figures from this transfer.
Wolves have had solid defensive foundations to work with for the majority of their time in the Premier League, with club captain Conor Coady leading by example at the back so often.
This season, the West Midlands club have conceded just 21 goals – the fourth lowest in the entire division, with just Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City leaking less.
One man who has had a significant contribution this campaign, particularly in helping the defence become a rock-solid unit is homegrown centre-back Max Kilman, who has become one of the first names on the teamsheet.
Former Leeds striker Noel Whelan labelled him as “incredible” and “sensational” in an interview with Football Insider, while Sky Sports described him as a “revelation”, displaying how far he’s come in a short period of time.
Still without having made a single error leading to a goal in the Premier League this year, the Wolves star has made 2.31 interceptions per 90, as well as an impressive 1.35 defensive tackles per game within his own half.
However, it is his ability when in possession that is arguably the most impressive, ranking in the top 16% for dribbles completed per 90 (0.43) among central defenders in Europe’s top five leagues, the top 24% for progressive carries per game (3.60) and also the top 20% for carries into the final third per game (0.85).
For a 24-year-old defender without an England cap who has played just 48 Premier League games, keeping 14 clean sheets in that time, the statistics show just how rapidly Kilman has developed – and he is continuing to progress.
This season, he is ranked joint fourth by SofaScore in terms of average match rating, alongside versatile Moroccan Romain Saiss, who has also had an excellent campaign.
What separates the two though in how important they are to Wolves, isn’t just statistics though, it is the fact that Kilman is a left-footer playing in a three-man defence.
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Nowadays, it is becoming more and more common for clubs to use left-footed central defenders next to a right-footer, but for balance in particular, it is crucial when setting up with three defenders and wing-backs.
Despite being valued at just £8.1m by Transfermarkt, his price tag would likely be far higher than that, as Wolves have truly found themselves a gem of a homegrown left-footed wide centre back.
In other news: Forget Neto: Lage can fix big Wolves issue with rarely-seen 19yo who “catches the eye”
Wolves are looking at the possibility of taking a player from Barcelona this summer with a new face touted with a move to Molineux in the next few months.
What’s the news?
Spanish midfielder Riqui Puig, once heralded as the “next Iniesta” could now be included in the permanent sale of forward Adama Traore to the Catalan club according to the Birmingham Mail.
With his contract expiring in a year and having had little playing time this season, Puig is one of the players Barcelona will be hoping to offload from their wage bill, particularly with the likes of homegrown trio Nico, Pedri and Gavi all moving ahead in the pecking order.
Moutinho successor
Joao Moutinho’s contract at Wolves is set to expire at the end of the season, but there is still a possibility that it will be extended due to manager Bruno Lage’s fondness of the player – which he expressed in a recent interview.
“I hope so,” Lage replied after being asked whether the midfielder would sign a new deal.
“Yesterday in training he scored an amazing goal and I said to him, ‘If you score a goal like that on Saturday you will be my assistant! Don’t go anywhere, you will be my assistant!’
“As his manager, I’m really happy with him, with his performances and the way he works every day.”
However, should the Portuguese maestro turn down a new contract extension offer, Wolves reportedly may look to Puig, who has started just one La Liga game this season.
Although the La Masia graduate would likely be used as not much more than a sweetener in the Adama deal, it would likely represent great value for money upon arrival – as he is currently rated at just £8.1m by Transfermarkt.
With that in mind, then, he’d be an incredibly cost-effective way of eventually replacing Moutinho.
With a passing accuracy of 94% as well as a long pass accuracy of 91% this season in the Spanish top flight, it’s clear to see that Puig is a midfielder who is comfortable in possession and able to dictate the tempo of play.
That’s an area of the game that the 35-year-old Wolves veteran thrives in too, successfully completing 85.9% of his own passes in 2021/22. That means the Barca youngster would surely be an excellent heir to the Portugal international’s midfield throne, despite needing to improve offensively.
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He has scored just one senior goal and contributed zero assists for the first team, showing he has plenty of work to do on the attacking end if he is to become an immediate success in the Midlands.
The potential Puig possesses is high, however, and with the signing being low-risk, Wolves could reap the rewards for years to come should they give him a chance.
In other news: Wolves could have their new Jimenez in rarely-seen 17 y/o who scores “poacher’s goals”
An injury expert has now dropped some big Newcastle United news involving Federico Fernandez ahead of the clash with Everton.
The Lowdown: In training
The Shields Gazette journalist Dominic Scurr revealed on Tuesday afternoon that Fernandez, Joe Willock and Callum Wilson were ‘involved’ in training this week after missing their last few games through injury.
Fernandez has not actually featured at St. James’ Park since the 1-0 win at home to Burnley in the Premier League back in December, although he has been on the bench three times since (Transfermarkt).
The Latest: Will he be involved?
Taking to Twitter, Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries website, has claimed that Fernandez could now return to the squad for their match against the Merseyside club:
“Federico Fernandez has been training normally and could be part of the travelling squad to Everton.”
The Verdict: Boost
It would be a boost for Eddie Howe and his squad if Fernandez is able to travel, especially given doubts for some other players like Joelinton and Jonjo Shelvey.
He currently averages more blocks per game in the Premier League than any of his teammates, while he also ranks highly in terms of average clearances, passes and pass success rate per appearance (WhoScored).
Nonetheless, the 33-year-old also brings leadership qualities both off of the pitch as well as on it, and has even captained his team on a couple of occasions already this season.
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Even if he is left on the bench, he will no doubt be an influence from the touchline and in the dressing rom.
In other news, find out which huge injury blow NUFC have now received here!
When Dele Alli joined Tottenham Hotspur in what was a £5m deal back in 2015, Daniel Levy looked to have secured one of the most exciting young midfielders in the English game.
And, following three seasons in which Dele scored a quite astonishing 46 goals and registered 41 assists over £89m move to Manchester City, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain back in 2017.
However, over the following three and a half seasons, Dele’s form rather drastically dropped off, with the midfielder making 149 appearances in all competitions, over which he scored just 21 goals and provided a mere 20 assists.
Furthermore, the 25-year-old’s commitment to the Tottenham cause was also called into question, with Jose Mourinho dubbing the playmaker “lazy” and reportedly being more than happy to move the former MK Dons starlet on in the summer of 2020 – only for Levy to block his exit.
However, just a year and a half later, Dele would be packing his bags, with Everton agreeing a deal worth up to £40m in order to take the midfielder to Goodison Park in the January transfer window.
And, despite the opportunity of a fresh start under Frank Lampard, it seems as if Dele’s problems have continued in Liverpool, with the £6m-rated man having so far failed to be given the nod from the off in a single game for the Toffees, with all six of his appearances coming from the bench.
This has led to more questioning regarding the £100k-per-week midfielder’s application, with Harry Redknapp dubbing Dele’s return to Tottenham in a 5-0 defeat earlier this month as “embarrassing,” while Paddy Kenny stated his belief that the 25-year-old “hasn’t been training well enough” to get into Lampard’s starting XI.
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Indeed, so poor has Dele been for Everton that the midfielder is already being linked with an exit from the club this summer, something that, considering the size of the fee Levy received from the sale of the Englishman, proves the Tottenham chairman played a blinder when sanctioning the attacker’s sale earlier this year.
AND in other news: Huge boost: Alasdair Gold drops 5-word Spurs update that will have Conte buzzing
A major Sunderland claim has emerged regarding Danny Batth’s move to the club earlier this year…
What’s the talk?
According to The Examiner, Sheffield Wednesday attempted to seal a deal for the central defender in the January transfer window, only to see him sign for the Black Cats on a free transfer.
He joined Sunderland on an 18-month deal from Championship Stoke City and then-boss Lee Johnson hailed his arrival, saying:
“We have some good characters already in place at the football club and you are always looking to nurture leadership qualities, but Danny’s come ready-made. A dominant centre back, he has a great personality and I think he will have really positive effect on and off the pitch.”
Buzzing
This claim will surely leave Stadium of Light supporters buzzing as it shows that Kristjaan Speakman pulled off a masterclass in January.
The Black Cats supremo was able to convince the experienced battler to turn down a transfer to Hillsborough in favour of one to Sunderland. Irrespective of how the deal ends up working out, this shows that the club still has a huge pull and that Speakman is able to work his magic to snap up players who are being eyed by teams in the same division.
In fact, the Owls are one of the club’s closest competitors this season. There are only two points between the two teams as it stands, with Wednesday in sixth and Sunderland in seventh in the League One table.
They are both competing for a play-off spot and one team could end up causing the other to miss out on a top-six place come the end of the campaign.
Batth has been struggling with an ankle injury this year and the Black Cats are yet to see the best of the former Wolves machine. He found it difficult to discover his form before finding himself sidelined with the knock and is now on his way back to fitness.
His form in the Championship for Stoke earlier this season suggests that he will be able to have a huge say in the play-off race if he can get himself back to 100% and injury-free. He averaged an excellent SofaScore rating of 7.10 in the second tier, making 5.5 clearances and 2.6 tackles and interceptions per game.
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Batth has shown that he can be a solid defender in a higher division and this suggests that he has the quality to excel in League One for Sunderland. It is just down to him to now prove that he can get back to his best and make sure that Wednesday live to regret missing out on him.
Speakman pulled off a masterclass that will delight fans, because of the potential benefits by bringing him in. Batth must now repay him by delivering on the pitch.
AND in other news, Speakman heading for SAFC shocker on £2.7k-p/w gem who’s the best “in the division”…
Aston Villa may be set for a difficult summer, with the likes of Carney Chukwuemeka, Douglas Luiz and Matty Cash all being linked with moves away from the Midlands in recent weeks.
Meanwhile, Brazilian superstar Philippe Coutinho still hasn’t had his future resolved, with manager Steven Gerrard desperate to keep him at Villa Park beyond his loan spell from Barcelona.
However, if he doesn’t make his temporary stay at the club permanent at the end of the season, the Liverpool legend may be forced into the transfer market to find a longer-term replacement for the midfielder – brought in to help replace Jack Grealish, and John Swift could be that man to fill the void.
What’s the news?
Having been long-term admirers of the Reading midfielder, the Championship side’s former manager John McDermott has claimed that the former Chelsea youth prospect could thrive in Gerrard’s team.
“It’s hard to say [If Swift could make it in the Premier League] – you could stick him in at someone like Aston Villa as technically he’s very good,” McDermott said on BBC Radio Berkshire. “He makes goals, he scores goals and I can see him ending up at somewhere like Aston Villa or someone like Leeds United.
“He can play, he sees a pass but it’s hard to say [how good he could be] until you put them in that environment.”
He can make the step up
Described as “super-talented” by former Royals boss Veljko Paunovic at the beginning of the season, the 26-year-old midfielder will be available for free this summer, with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.
Having scored an incredible 11 goals and adding 13 more assists in 35 appearances for the struggling Championship relegation candidates, only Fulham duo Aleksandar Mitrovic and Harry Wilson have averaged higher match ratings than his 7.28, with the Serbian striker on top with a 7.65, and the Welsh winger just below with 7.40.
His form has been nothing short of remarkable, given Reading sit in 21st in the second tier, and with him taking 2.1 shots per game and 2.7 key passes per game – he is certainly capable of becoming a prime creator in the Premier League with his level of footballing intelligence, surrounded by higher quality players.
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Grealish made 16 goal contributions last season for Villa before signing for Manchester City this summer in a deal worth £105.75m, and while Swift may not quite reach that valuation – his 24 goal contributions for Reading is evidence that he could be just as active in the final third – from an even deeper position than the England international.
That is something certainly worth shouting about if you are among Villa’s recruitment team.
In other news: Insider drops “serious” behind-scenes AVFC update that will scare supporters
Tottenham Hotspur have it all to do. There is plenty of season still to cover for Thomas Frank’s side, who are in a promising position in the Champions League and meet Aston Villa in the third round of the FA Cup next month.
Sure, Spurs languish in 11th place in the Premier League as Christmas beckons, but the peculiar nature of this year’s table means fourth-place Chelsea lead their London rivals by only six points.
After so much upheaval in recent years, Tottenham always needed a big summer transfer window. But the promising additions are leaving something to be desired.
Spurs lining up Frank's best signing yet
Tottenham added quality to their ranks during the summer. Mohammed Kudus’ dribbling is first-class, and Xavi Simons is well regarded as one of Europe’s most talented playmakers.
But the Dutchman is only 22, and despite recent green shoots, has yet to find consistency in front of goal and from the heart of creative influence.
Tottenham need a Son-esque talisman, and they could find him in Antoine Semenyo, with transfer guru Fabrizio Romano confirming that the Ghana international, 25, has been at the heart of ENIC Group discussions ahead of a potential winter transfer, with many suitors interested in sparking his £65m release clause.
Tottenham had an enquiry rejected by the south coast club during the summer, but Johan Lange and Fabio Paratici will hope that their earlier persistence could help sway the odds in their favour, with Liverpool and Manchester City also keen.
In full, Romano said: “Tottenham are really interested in Semenyo. Tottenham have January interest. This week Manchester United and Manchester City called to understand the situation. Between Monday and Tuesday some calls took place. £65m release clause. These three clubs all called.”
Why Semenyo is perfect for Spurs
Semenyo has scored seven goals and supplied three assists in the Premier League this season. He is one of the division’s most potent threats.
Tottenham could do a lot worse. Two-footed and destructive on both sides – as well as playing centrally as a focal point – Semenyo would add so much punch to Spurs’ frontline. After all, analyst Ben Mattinson has spoken of how he has been “constantly creating problems for Tottenham” when facing them, so why not add him to the ranks?
Considered to be a “world-class” forward by his teammate Justin Kluivert, Semenyo has been racking up the goal contributions, for sure, but he’s also established himself as an all-encompassing Premier League attacker, and it is that completeness that sets him apart from his peers.
It is for that reason, in fact, that he could become the best piece of business the Lilywhites have completed for many years, certainly trumping Simons, who is a talented young player but has shown over the past few months that he is inconsistent, raw.
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Conversely, Semenyo is firing on all cylinders. For example, look at how the Ghanaian’s performance this season ranks against Son’s from the 2024/25 campaign with Tottenham. This is a player who would not only add a clinical dimension to Frank’s wings, but he would add energy and intensity too.
Premier League – Semenyo vs Son
Stats (per 90)
Semenyo (25/26)
Son (24/25)
Goals scored
0.47
0.30
Assists
0.20
0.38
Shots taken
2.20
2.35
Shot-creating actions
3.40
4.99
Touches (att pen)
4.20
5.20
Pass completion (%)
69.8
78.9
Progressive passes
3.60
4.73
Progressive carries
3.54
4.09
Successful take-ons
1.60
1.24
Ball recoveries
4.94
3.63
Tackles + interceptions
1.87
0.94
Data via FBref
The wear and tear of so many seasons in the Premier League had pressed against Son last season, but he still impressed, adopting a more creative berth as his snappy athleticism wore away.
Simons has been signed to replace that playmaking prowess, but it’s clear that Spurs need more incisiveness in the final third, and Semenyo would provide Frank’s team with exactly that, proving with crisp attacking performances that he can become the new talisman.
Because of this, the Bournemouth star might just establish himself not just as a better signing than a raw playmaker like Simons, but actually Tottenham’s best addition for quite a few years.
Spurs could land Poch 2.0 by hiring "one of the best managers in Europe"
Tottenham Hotspur could find their next Mauricio Pochettino by sacking Thomas Frank to appoint this manager.
Out with the old and in with the new seems to be the new philosophy adopted at White Hart Lane this summer. The arrival of Andre Villas-Boas as Harry Redknapp’s successor was finally confirmed this week bringing to an end the guessing games regarding the next incumbent of the Spurs hot seat. And before we’d even had time to blink Villas Boas had signed a player tying up the deal for Icelandic midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson. He’s expected to be the first of many as the Portuguese tactician endeavours to overhaul his new squad and stamp his mark on the North London club. It’s a refreshing change from the norm that chairman Daniel Levy has given a young manager a chance to shine in the Premier League again following that torrid spell down the road at Stamford Bridge. Villas-Boas is certainly a talented young manager, as proven by his success in Portgugal, and should prove his credentials at Spurs. It’ll interesting to see how he integrates his preferred 4-3-3 formation into a team that become stifled by Redknapp’s reluctance to sway from the tried and tested 4-4-2 and whether the players are receptive to the methods that brought about his demise at the Blues earlier this year.
This week on FFC and Villas-Boas and Spurs the perfect fit for one another and which French midfielder is supposedly on his shopping list?
[divider]
Best of FFC
Short-sighted attitudes unfair on Andre Villas-Boas
Why Tottenham have already made their best summer acquisition
Can Villas-Boas cure Tottenham’s real problem?
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What next for Tom Huddlestone?
Match made in heaven for Tottenham Hotspur
Exactly what Tottenham have needed?
Spurs set to test the Birmingham waters with £7m bid
Andre Villas-Boas plotting transfer move for duo
[divider]
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Hot-Spurts – Dear Mr Levy
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The 5 O’Clocker: Bids In For Two – Harry Hotspur
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Quote of the Week
[divider]
“I feel privileged to be its coach. For me, this is one of the most exciting coaching positions in the Premier League. I have had several discussions with the chairman and the board and I share their vision for the future progress of the club.
“This is a squad any coach would love to work with and together I believe we can bring success in the seasons ahead.” Andre Villas-Boas speaks of his delight at being appointed Tottenham manager