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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

Newcastle United are monitoring the development of the exciting Ligue 1 striker Victor Osimhen, according to The Chronicle.

What’s the word?

Osimhen, 20, made the move to the French outfit from RSC Charleroi in the summer for £10.2m and has got off to a flying start in France.

With eight goals in all competitions this season, he has impressed the Toon talent finders and even scored against Chelsea in the Champions League during his side’s 2-1 defeat to the London based-outfit.

A Newcastle fan calls for Sean and Matt Longstaff’s Mum to give birth to a starting eleven’s worth of Longstaffs in the video below…

The Nigerian forward started at German Bundesliga side Wolfsburg and has become a full international with Nigeria as his player development has progressed.

The Chronicle revealed that the club’s winter talent search is underway as the club’s head of recruitment Steve Nickson looks to form a list of realistic options for manager Steve Bruce during the January transfer window.

Star in the making

Since the arrival of Joelinton in the summer for £40m from Hoffenheim, the Brazilian striker has struggled to settle down in the North East. The former Bundesliga forward has only scored one goal in his first nine Premier League games.

Unbelievably, Osimhen has already scored more goals than Joelinton managed in 28 games last season.

The Brazilian scored seven goals and five assists in 25 starts and three appearances as a substitute. With the Nigerian currently on eight for his goal tally, the 20-year-old is proving to be more clinical as a striker than Newcastle’s No.9.

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As both players tower over 6 feet tall, Osimhen has the ability to step in and become the number one striker at the club, while Joelinton could benefit from becoming the facilitator rather than the leading goalscorer.

Having the pressure of being the Toon’s number one supplier of goals, the Brazilian could be better off without the weight of expectation from Newcastle fans on his shoulders.

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Everton fans have criticised Lucas Digne for his performance against Manchester City on Saturday.

The Toffees lost 3-1 to the Premier League champions in a pulsating game at Goodison Park.

Digne has been something of a creative force from defence already this season, providing two assists in the Premier League, while also scoring and assisting in the Carabao Cup.

However, he struggled against City, winning just two tackles out of an attempted five, per WhoScored, while also being dribbled past on three occasions.

Digne also failed to complete a dribble and was also unable to win an aerial duel.

While he did complete two key passes, he was run ragged by Riyad Mahrez as Marco Silva’s men again went without a win – they have now lost three successive games in the league.

And fans on Twitter and social media certainly noticed his troubles.

Take a look at the best of the reaction below!

It is now seven games in a row unbeaten for Arsenal in all competitions.

It comes as a bit of a surprise, certainly considering some of the flak manager Unai Emery has taken in recent weeks. But it is true all the same.

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The latest match of that run came against Standard Liege on Thursday night in the Europa League. The Gunners were 4-0 winners, with Gabriel Martinelli – twice – Joe Willock and Dani Ceballos grabbing the goals.

The fixture also saw a second start of the season for Kieran Tierney since the 22-year-old joined the north London outfit from Celtic in the summer. He has been unable to feature regularly due to injury up until this point, but he now seems to be approaching full fitness.

Reacting to the match against the Belgian side, it seems the team’s supporters were delighted with the Scotland international’s performance.

They took to Twitter to share their thoughts, and you can see some of the best comments from the social media platform below.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Off the Bench series, which places in-game managerial decisions and squad selections under FFC’s microscope.

West Brom were perhaps quite fortunate to come away with a point from Craven Cottage on Saturday afternoon.

Fulham had 69.2% of the possession whilst also having 17 shots to Albion’s nine, according to WhoScored.

Anthony Knockaert opening the scoring but it was Semi Ajayi who managed to get the visitors back into proceedings, ensuring that Slaven Bilic’s team remain unbeaten.

The Baggies clearly struggled but it was the Croatian’s changes that meant they were able to get back into things.

Watch West Bromwich Albion Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Off the bench

The substitute that made the biggest difference in the game was West Brom academy product Kyle Edwards, putting in a performance that displayed just how good their academy is at producing first-team players.

Throughout the years Albion have seen some of their best talents leave. Izzy Brown, Kemar Roofe and Tyler Roberts are just a few whilst even Louie Barry and Morgan Rogers left in the summer.

However, Edwards’ introduction for the more experienced Matt Phillips shows why more trust should be given to these young individuals.

The 21-year-old helped change the game and made three dribbles when he came on in just over half an hour after Bilic’s brave decision to take Jake Livermore and Phillips off. That number, however, was the highest of anyone in the entirety of the game as he also made two tackles.

It was a display that demonstrated his abilities at both ends of the pitch, showing something that neither Grady Diangana or Phillips managed.

The West Ham loanee managed just one dribble, whereas the latter didn’t achieve any.

Bilic hasn’t been afraid to blood the youth in 2019/20, also starting Nathan Ferguson at times but the short cameo from Edwards showed why greater faith must be put in these types of players.

Considering some of their experienced heads let them down on Saturday, they could do a lot worse than placing more trust in Edwards and players even younger than him.

After reaching the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup last term, it shows they’ve got the talent at their disposal.

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Celtic legend Henrik Larsson has been offered a job as a manager in England, according to reports.

The man the Celtic fans called The King of Kings has not had a great time of it since his managerial career got underway, with spells at various clubs ending badly.

His last management job was at Helsingborg; it was his second time at the club where, like Celtic, the man is an idol. And just like the first spell there, he left the club under a cloud when he resigned last month after receiving mountains of abuse online after he oversaw a humiliating cup knockout.

Over the years many have mooted a return to Celtic Park – indeed there was much speculation that Lennon would bring him to Parkhead in a coaching role – but if what he craves is the manager’s job itself one day, it couldn’t be contemplated at the moment.

But a successful spell in the dugout somewhere could be a game-changer for the Swede.

Now Southend have come in with a potential offer; they have been without a boss since Kevin Bond left following a bad spell that left them second bottom of League One with only Bolton, who suffered a points deduction, behind them.

It’s a big job, a difficult job, but Larsson might feel that he has what it takes.

A lot of managers do not do well at the clubs where they were icons; there is a unique pressure that goes with that which many find difficult to bear. Frank Lampard has had a stuttering start at Chelsea, for example, and everyone in Scotland knows what happened to Ally McCoist at Ibrox.

Helsingborg might not have been the right club for Larsson … a spell in England might be more what he needs to cut his managerial teeth before an even more spectacular homecoming can be mooted, far less discussed as a serious prospect.

According to a recent report from The Daily Mirror, the future of defender Gary Cahill is far from certain heading into the last few days of the January transfer window. The 33-year-old currently plays his football at Premier League heavyweights Chelsea and has done so since 2012, although struggles for regular game time under new Blues boss Maurizio Sarri this season has called his future at the West London outfit into question.

And a recent report from The Daily Mirror suggests that Unai Emery’s Arsenal are seeking a move for the experienced defender this month, as should Everton manager Marco Silva as he seeks to navigate his way through what is proving to be a testing time in his Toffees reign.

The Breakdown

Ultimately, the appointment of 41-year-old Silva was met with much anticipation in the summer as Everton sought to move on following the reign of Sam Allardyce, with the highly-rated Portuguese chief seen as the man to help take the Toffees forward and closer to the Premier League’s top six.

And while he made a fine start to life at Goodison Park, with his side sat sixth in the division at the start of December, things have gone awry since then with just two wins from their last ten Premier League matches, alongside an FA Cup exit at the hands of lower league opposition at the weekend.

As such, the pressure appears to be building on the Everton manager given they have lost five of their last seven league matches, but moving for an experienced professional like Cahill could be exactly what he needs to try and get through this tricky patch in charge.

The 33-year-old has proven to be an excellent Premier League defender ever since making the move to Chelsea back in 2012, with the Englishman in that time helping the Blues win two league titles, the Champions League, the Europa League, and indeed several domestic cup competitions – ultimately, he has won almost everything the club game has to offer.

And it was only in the 2016/17 season in which Cahill continued to underline his defensive credentials in shining in Antonio Conte’s backline to help Chelsea win the Premier League title – be it on or indeed off the pitch, the former England international would surely have a big impact.

Significantly, he would go some way to strengthening an Everton backline that have kept just one clean sheet since the end of November in the league, and have just five overall for the season to date – only one side above them in the table (West Ham) have shipped more goals so far this term.

Ultimately, things really don’t look good for Silva at present given he hasn’t been able to mastermind his side out of their recent rut – a defeat tonight against Huddersfield Town is simply inconceivable.

And with it clear that the club need big characters both on and off the field to help Silva get through this tricky patch, as well as another option in a backline that hasn’t exactly shone so far this term, making a move for linked-away Cahill makes complete sense in the final few days of the window.

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

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Ross McCrorie has revealed his reasons for leaving Rangers this summer.

What’s he said?

The young Ger departed on a season-long loan, much to the dismay of plenty of fans, as many were unhappy that there is an option to buy in the deal.

McCrorie has enjoyed success with Portsmouth so far though, playing five times and assisting one goal.

And, as reported by The Scottish Sun, gaining that playing time is exactly why he left: “He (Steven Gerrard) knew I wasn’t happy with the amount of appearances I made. He knew I wanted to be playing every week. I told him that.

“He told me the squad is so big at Rangers it would be tough. I could have stayed in my comfort zone and played a few games but I wanted to go somewhere, play and make a bit of a name for myself.

“He could’ve been selfish and kept me at Rangers, but he said I had to be selfish.

“I’m 21 and I need to play games to develop. I don’t want to be sitting about anymore.”

Winning mentality

The 6 foot 3 ace’s comments tell us two things. First, they reveal refreshing honesty from Gerrard and a genuine desire to do what’s best for his players.

It would be all too easy for the gaffer to keep the youngster in Glasgow to boost his squad depth, as a player who can perform at both defensive midfield and centre-back would certainly be useful for any manager.

Instead, the Liverpool legend encouraged the young talent to be “selfish”, and that’s exactly what he did.

That also tells us a lot about the attitude of McCrorie, clearly not content to sit warming the bench and collecting his pay packet.

The 21 year-old’s desire to go to a team expected to be challenging for promotion and prove himself reveals a top mentality, the exact type of mentality Rangers will need to topple Celtic’s Premiership reign if he returns after his loan spell.

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Tottenham Hotspur return to Premier League action this evening and manager Antonio Conte is facing several decisions on his team selection.

Their north London derby against Arsenal was postponed on Sunday, so he should be able to welcome back a few players from injury that wouldn’t have featured, as one positive.

Conte’s men head to the Midlands to face Leicester City, who haven’t played in three weeks due to a number of postponements, at the King Power Stadium.

This encounter is actually re-arranged from before Christmas, so both teams have plenty of games in hand and are by no means out of the race for the top four.

But what sort of lineup could we see from the Italian tonight? Here’s what we are predicting…

It has been a week since Spurs last played as they exited the Carabao Cup at the semi-final stage, tasting defeat to Chelsea over two legs. And there could be as many as four changes from last Wednesday’s defeat.

After being rested for that encounter, club captain Hugo Lloris should return between the sticks over Pierluigi Gollini, on the week in which his contract edges closer to an extension.

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The backline is likely to remain largely the same, with central defensive duo Eric Dier and Cristian Romero still absent through injury. It means left-back Ben Davies will partner Davinson Sanchez and 22-year-old Japhet Tanganga in a back three.

Emerson should continue at right wing-back but Conte will be able to welcome the return of Sergio Reguilon on the left, who replaces Matt Doherty in a straight swap.

In midfield, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg should remain and he is joined by Oliver Skipp. There is no place for either Harry Winks or Giovani Lo Celso, who are both axed to allow the midfield gem back into the side.

Further up the pitch, there is still no Heung-min Son but we may well see the return of Steven Bergwijn, who was expected to be named on the bench on Sunday.

He joins Lucas Moura and Harry Kane in the attack.

Predicted Spurs XI vs Leicester (3-4-3): Lloris; Davies, Sanchez, Tanganga; Reguilon, Hojbjerg, Skipp, Emerson; Bergwijn, Moura, Kane

AND in other news, Spurs now “interested” in £10m gem with “enormous ability”, he could be the new Walker…

Everton have already interviewed Vitor Pereira and Fabio Cannavaro, but have still not announced the next manager to lead the Toffees into their last few months of the season, with a fresh twist emerging on the manager search.

What’s the word?

Reliable journalists, Chris Bascombe and John Percy have put together a report in The Telegraph to confirm that Frank Lampard will have a second interview on Thursday afternoon.

According to the report, the ex-Chelsea boss remains in serious consideration for landing the role at Goodison Park, despite interviewing and refusing to officially rule out Pereira from the role after his shocking Sky Sports News interview on Wednesday afternoon.

Duncan Ferguson has been appointed as interim manager at the club until Farhad Moshiri and the Everton board have made a decision on who will take over the challenge at the club for the rest of the season.

Fans will be buzzing

Everton fans have made it very clear who they want as manager, storming Goodison Park on Wednesday night to protest against the owners and their potential appointment of Pereira, with fans spray painting a message on the walls of the stadium saying ‘Pereira out, Lampard in’ and supporters have been vocal on social media too.

One fan tweeted: “Today is the day to announce Lampard to lift the fanbase. Plus it’s time to finally say goodbye to the Vitor once and for all #Everton.”

Lampard has been out of work since he was sacked by Chelsea in January 2021, and although offering less experience than some of the candidates, his work at Derby County by getting them to the playoff final and knocking Manchester United out of the Carabao Cup can’t go unrecognised.

That’s along with his commitment to developing young talent like Mason Mount, who was given his Premier League debut by Lampard, and went on to win the Champions League with the club last summer.

This could be a real opportunity for Moshiri to make amends with the fans and employ the manager that the fanbase clearly wants to see at the club.. However, it will be interesting to see what direction the Everton board do decide to go in over the next few days.

In other news: Alan Myers drops two-word update on Everton manager search

Newcastle United host Manchester United at home in the Premier League tonight as they go in search of their second win of the season.

The Magpies are on ten points after 18 matches and have won just one game as they sit in the relegation zone heading into the half-way stage of the campaign.

They now come up against Ralf Rangnick’s United side off the back of losing three games in succession to Leicester, Liverpool and Manchester City.

St. James’ rocking

Newcastle need to get St. James’ Park rocking tonight to create an intimidating atmosphere for the Red Devils to play in and Howe could ensure that happens by unleashing Allan Saint-Maximin from the start.

The tricky winger was left on the bench against Manchester City last week and should now be brought straight back into the starting XI as he is a player who can get fans off their seats. He has the quality on the ball to lift a crowd and this could be vital to gain momentum throughout the match.

This season, the forward has averaged 1.9 shots, 1.5 key passes and 4.1 dribbles per game in the Premier League for Newcastle. He is constantly involved in the play and wants the ball at his feet in order to make things happen, which brings with it an air of excitement every time he is in possession as the fans know that there is the potential for something magical to happen.

Gary Neville previously lauded the £93k-per-week gem, saying: “To see his speed, his movement, it’s absolutely breathtaking. We were defenders in the Premier League and played against lots of good players.

“But every team now has three or four players who are unpredictable and brilliant, he’s breathtaking.”

The 24-year-old also has three goals and three assists in the league this term, which shows that he has been able to provide the end product to make him a genuine threat in the final third. He can scare defenders with his trickery and Howe must use this weapon against Rangnick’s team tonight.

This is why the Magpies boss must ensure that he is in the starting XI ready for kick-off at 8pm. He can get the St. James’ Park crowd rocking with his direct running and that could give the team the boost they need to pull off a shock result under the lights.

AND in other news, Howe must ruthlessly axe “laughable” NUFC dud who Shearer dubbed worse than an “U10″…