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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers was quizzed about potential transfer plans ahead of the January window during his pre-match Hamilton press conference on Thursday, but what did his comments really mean?

What did he say?

Well, when asked if the Bhoys would be doing any business in the New Year, the Northern Irishman replied:

“We’re assessing targets in the areas we want to strengthen and improve. January is always an important window.”

The former Liverpool boss also produced another eye-catching comment when talking about Nir Bitton’s return to training, adding:

“Browny is back training as is Leigh Griffiths. He’s looking fit and working hard. Great having Nir back too. It’s like having a new player.”

What did his comments really mean?

They were certainly interesting.

Some Celtic fans may have felt that Rodgers could be in the market for a new midfielder in January with Stuart Armstrong not being replaced following his departure to Southampton during the summer transfer window, but his comments about Bitton being like a new signing suggests this won’t be the case.

Additionally, the likes of James Forrest and Ryan Christie have hit form while Olivier Ntcham has penned a new long-term deal, while captain Scott Brown is also set to make his comeback from injury.

Check out the video below to see how Brazil fans reacted to being asked how Cristiano Ronaldo would peform for them in a hilarious prank by Playmaker FC…

Where could they strengthen?

There aren’t too many weak positions across the squad right now even if they perhaps both could do with some more depth on the flanks and up top in attack, but one area Rodgers may want a new body in is at right-back.

Neither Mikael Lustig nor Cristian Gamboa have particularly impressed when they have featured there in recent times, and with the duo’s contracts due to run out at the end of the campaign it appears as though it could be on the cards that they are getting replaced early in January.

Everton could find themselves in a tricky position come the end of the season.

Andre Gomes moved to Goodison Park from Barcelona in the summer on a season-long loan.

The midfielder had to wait for his debut due to injury, but since returning to fitness he has heavily impressed the Toffees’ faithful.

It would be no surprise if Everton tried to make his temporary arrangement permanent at the end of the campaign, but there are question marks over whether they will be successful.

If not, then manager Marco Silva may have to look at other options, and according to The Mirror, the Toffees are keeping a close eye on Lyon midfielder Tanguy Ndombele.

It is believed that Everton have send scouts to watch the 21-year-old on a handful of occasions ahead of a potential move, but they are likely to face plenty of competition for his signature.

Check out the video below to see how Brazil fans reacted to being asked how Cristiano Ronaldo would perform for them in a hilarious prank by Playmaker FC…

We asked you if the youngster would be a decent alternative to Gomes, and it seems that not many fans would be disappointed by the Portugal international’s departure if Ndombele came through the welcome gates.

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Sadio Mane signed a new long-term contract with Liverpool on Thursday evening, and it could be really bad news for one Reds youngster.

The Chalkboard

Mane joined the rest of Liverpool’s electric front three on Thursday, as the 26 year-old penned a new deal that is expected to keep him at the club until 2023.

Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino both penned similar deals earlier this year, and the Senegalese international has finally followed suit.

Mane has scored 40 times and added 18 assists in 89 Liverpool appearances, and having the front three that set Europe alight last year all signed up for the long haul is a huge step in the right direction.

Check out the video below to see Playmaker FC’s American Soccer Fan give his take on all six ‘field goals’ in West Ham v Burnley…

Another win for FSG

When Jurgen Klopp signed for the Reds back in 2015, Fenway Sports Group promised they would back the German to the best of their ability.

The American owners have taken plenty of stick from fans since they arrived at Anfield, but their transformation of the club in recent years has been truly astonishing.

From the redevelopment at Anfield to the excellent transfer business guided by sporting director Michael Edwards, the club has slowly been getting back on top since Klopp arrived, and the owners deserve a massive chunk of the credit.

Bad news for Wilson?

While the impacts off the pitch can only be positive, the Mane deal could be really bad news for Harry Wilson.

The 21 year-old was a goalscoring machine for Liverpool’s youth teams, and has grabbed three goals and one assist on loan with Derby this season.

Wilson is versatile enough to play anywhere across the front three, so a spot on the bench could be perfect for him next season. However, the Welsh international will be in his prime by the time these contracts expire, so will almost certainly have to leave in search of regular playing time.

So, Liverpool fans, what do you think are the impacts of Mane’s contract? How impressed are you by FSG? Will Wilson ever make it at Anfield? Let us know your thoughts by voting in the poll below…

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Lyon midfielder Tanguy Ndombele has become, fairly quickly, one of the most in-demand central midfielders in European football.

Tottenham Hotspur have been strongly linked with a move in recent days, and it is thought that the 21-year-old could leave in January.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Lyon could actually demand £62m for the midfielder, with the French outfit aware of the growing interest.

Everton would probably not be at the head of the list, but the Merseyside club’s supporters have been on social media discussing a potential move.

Indeed, a number would be prepared to part with key player Idrissa Gueye if it meant being able to sign Ndombele, who could boss their midfield for the next five years.

Gueye has been outstanding for the Toffees since a 2016 move from Aston Villa, but there are Everton supporters who would sacrifice the midfielder for Ndombele.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

According to a recent report from The Daily Mirror, Arsenal are interested in a January move for defender Fernando Calero. The 23-year-old currently plays his football at Spanish side Real Valladolid and has done so since leaving Malaga back in 2016, with his impressive displays in La Liga seemingly attracting the interest of Gunners manager Unai Emery.

And that’s because reports suggest that the North London giants are targeting a New Year move for the Spaniard, and with his release clause reportedly set at £10 million, it’s a bargain deal the Arsenal boss simply must seek to clinch in January in a bid to bolster his defensive ranks.

The Breakdown

Ultimately, the recent injury to Rob Holding has left the Gunners somewhat short in the centre back ranks, especially given the Englishman was beginning to prove his worth on a regular basis to manager Emery with a string of commanding displays in the Arsenal backline.

Yet he looks set to miss the rest of the season following a serious knee injury he sustained in the North London derby earlier this month, which leaves Emery with Sokratis, Shkodran Mustafi, and Laurent Koscielny as his only senior centre backs.

And with the latter only just coming back from a lengthy injury spell of his own, and the former to turn 31 next year, it’s plainly obvious that younger reinforcements are needed in the heart of the Gunners defence, both for the present and indeed the future.

And Valladolid’s Calero certainly fits the bill after an impressive 12 months at the La Liga outfit, and with the defender potentially available for as little as £10 million, which is nothing in modern-day financial terms, it’s a bargain the club must seek in January.

The 23-year-old has proven his worth to Valladolid in the last 12 months or so in helping them win promotion to the Spanish top-flight last time round, appearing 23 times as they won promotion via the play-offs, but it has been his efforts in the top tier this term that have been particularly impressive.

And that’s because the centre back has started all 15 of their La Liga matches this season to help them to 12th place in the Spanish top-flight, with six clean sheets and just 15 goals against in that time underlining just how difficult they are to beat – Calero has played a key part in establishing that defensive solidity.

And at the tender age of 23, the Spaniard is only likely to get better under the guidance of Emery, with Holding’s meteoric rise under the new Arsenal boss this term something Calero must look at to know that working under his compatriot could elevate his game to another level.

Significantly though, his arrival would hugely strengthen Arsenal’s centre back ranks heading in the second half of the season, and given just how strong a start the Gunners have made under Emery this term, expectations are growing heading into 2019 – they must combat that by signing shrewdly in January.

And with 23-year-old Calero potentially available for just £10 million, it’s a bargain deal the Gunners must strike come the New Year.

Arsenal fans… what do you think? Let us know!

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Nottingham Forest star Joe Lolley has been in sensational form for the Championship promotion hopefuls so far this season. The 26-year-old has scored seven goals and provided six assists in all competitons for Forest, helping them to within touching distance of the play-offs and scoring some absolute screamers along the way.

It makes Huddersfield’s decision to sell him look extremely baffling, as it appears that Lolley is more than capable of playing Premier League football. In that respect, Crystal Palace should definitely be keeping tabs on the Englishman with a view to bringing him back to the top-flight.

The Eagles are lacking a creative source from midfield and have been for some time now, and the need for midfield reinforcements is necessary having lost Yohan Cabaye and Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the summer.

Should Palace sign the former Terriers star? Have your say down below and keep an eye out for the published results…

Manuel Pellegrini can make up for Ryan Frederick’s failings at West Ham by beating Tottenham Hotspur to the signature of teenage sensation Max Aarons.

What’s the word?

Spurs are said to be chasing the 18-year-old right-back as Mauricio Pochettino looks to bolster his side, but they face competition from numerous clubs including RB Leipzig.

The Hammersmith-born ace featured in 19 of the Canaries’ 24 Championship games this season, and offered a complete full-back having won 32 of his 38 attempted tackles and beat opponents with 23 successful dribbles in the opening 18 of those.

Aarons’ stunning breakthrough season will see Norwich ask for far more than the defender’s £225,000 TransferMarkt valuation, with reports that Spurs will bid £15million in January, although the Championship side are in no pressure to sell having made over £30million from the departures of James Maddison and Josh Murphy.

Speculation by The Sun suggests a January move may be possible, however, but only if the right-back is immediately loaned back to the Premier League promotion hopefuls.

Check out the video below to see Playmaker FC’s American Soccer Fan give his take on all six ‘field goals’ in West Ham v Burnley…

Fredericks had his chance and failed

Spurs youth product Fredericks showed at Tottenham that he was not competent enough to challenge for a Premier League spot and was sold to Bristol City in 2015, where he made just five appearances.

A resurgence at Fulham earned the 26-year-old a move to West Ham in June, but it is beyond unlikely that he will be the Irons’ long-term solution when Pablo Zabaleta eventually leaves the club given he has been largelt disappointing following his summer transfer.

If he were the Argentine’s eventual successor, the £3.6million rated full-back would have been in line for more appearances prior to his ankle injury than his 467 minutes in all competitions.

Aarons, on the other hand, has the world at his feet when it comes to his future, and should he maintain his current form he can solidify his importance to a top Premier League side.

West Ham would rue allowing the teenager to move elsewhere if his signature is available, especially their London rivals Tottenham.

Would you like to see Aarons at the Hammers? Let us know in the poll below…

Crystal Palace fans have taken to Twitter to discuss their star man Wilfried Zaha’s poor form, and also his worrying attitude problems after Neil Warnock’s Cardiff appeared to get in his head on Boxing Day.

The Ivorian has never struggled for confidence, but does allow himself to get easily wound up by the opposition more often than not – all they need to do is foul him or double up on him and he’ll start to retaliate.

This petulance could perhaps be a reason behind his poor form so far this season. The 26-year-old has just three goals and an assist so far this season in 16 Premier League starts, but it is worth noting that all of his strikes came in the first four games of the season.

Playmaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals he often received racist abuse after North London Derbies – Check out the video below…

It is needless to say that fans of the Eagles are concerned over their talisman, and have taken to Twitter to discuss his current issues…

Brendan Rodgers must want to a sign a new forward in the upcoming January transfer window.

Celtic lost Moussa Dembele on deadline day back in August, the Frenchman secured a £19m move to Lyon, but left Rodgers with little time to source a replacement. Luckily for the Hoops, Odsonne Edouard has been in fine form since completing a permanent move from Paris St Germain in the summer. However, with Leigh Griffiths out indefinitely due to personal issues and Edouard currently sidelined, Celtic have been left with a shortage of forwards.

Rodgers has been forced to promote youngster Mikey Johnston to the first-team, and the 19-year-old has performed admirably. However, if Celtic are to retain the Scottish Premiership title and progress in the Europa League, signing a striker should be a priority in the upcoming January transfer window.

One man who the former Liverpool boss should target is CSKA Moscow forward – Fedor Chalov. Valued at just £9m by Transfermarkt, the youngster made a breakthrough to the first-team last year, starting ten games in the Russian Premier League, scoring six goals. Chalov was chosen to lead the line in the current campaign and has grabbed the opportunity with both hands.

The 20-year-old has been in fine form in front of goal, finding the back of the net nine times in 17 appearances so far as well as registering four assists for his team-mates. Chalov is an excellent finisher and is blessed with pace that would cause Scottish defences plenty of problems. Still developing and improving, luring him to Celtic Park could prove to be a masterstroke.

Rodgers has a reputation for working with youngsters and Chalov could be the next player to thrive under his leadership.

Celtic fans, thoughts?

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West Ham United secured a 2-0 victory over a dogged but wasteful Birmingham City side in an FA Cup third round clash at the London Stadium on Saturday. An early strike from Marko Arnautovic and a late goal for Andy Carroll were enough to see the Hammers safely into the next round of the cup.

The occasion also marked the debut of January arrival Samir Nasri, who started, and played 58 minutes, against the Championship side.

On the chalkboard

Nasri joined Manuel Pellegrini’s squad on a free transfer on December 31st – the day his 18-month doping ban ended. 

American Soccer Fan is back! You should check out the video below but Southampton fans should look away now…

After so long out of the game it’ll take the 31-year-old some time to regain his full match fitness, but the early signs he showed against the Blues suggested that his technical brilliance is undimmed.

A Premier League star again

The two-time Premier League winner was attack-minded and aggressive in possession. His vision and creativity ought to quickly make him a key asset in east London. With Manuel Lanzini still sidelined with injury, the Hammers were in need of a player with Nasri’s levels of invention.

The 41-cap former France international has bags of Premier League experience, gained in his spells with Arsenal and Manchester City, and huge amounts quality. Once fully fit he could be a star for this West Ham team. 

By the end of the season, Pellegrini’s bold decision to sign him as a free agent could be looked back upon as a transfer masterstroke and his best call of this January window.