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Despite starting slowly, Leeds United's Championship season is up and running and Daniel Farke will be delighted with the way that his side have ploughed into third-place after 15 matches.

The engine did falter at the start, however, and as a consequence, Ipswich Town are eight points clear in second, despite five victories from six matches for the Whites.

It was always going to take a while to gel together, though, with a hive of transfer activity occurring at Elland Road across the summer following Leeds' relegation from the Premier League, ending a three-year stay.

Despite losing the likes of Jack Harrison, Rodrigo and Tyler Adams (not an exhaustive list), the Yorkshire club rebuilt under Farke's command, with Joel Piroe, Ethan Ampadu, Glen Kamara and co all bolstering the fold, with stars such as Wilfried Gnonto and Georginio Rutter retained.

For all of the talented acquisitions, Farke will be eager to utilise the club's excellent youth influx and cherry-pick the best options to improve the performances; this has already been evidenced through the likes of 17-year-old Archie Gray, who is currently subject to £40m transfer attention from Liverpool.

There is more to come, and based on the short but sweet impression that Mateo Joseph has made this season, he might be next in line to break into the first-team.

Mateo Joseph's youth statistics

Born in Santander, Spain, Joseph enjoyed prolific success with Racing Santander as a youth before joining Espanyol in 2017, scoring 14 goals from 21 appearances across the 2021/22 campaign and earning the attention of Leeds, who completed the signing of the player in January 2022 for an undisclosed fee.

Considered a player with "great potential' by Javier Rodriguez Alonso, Joseph has now plundered 20 goals and three assists from 33 outings for Leeds' development sides, having also made six senior displays – including three appearances in the Premier League – last season.

This year, after a productive pre-season, Joseph has only featured twice in the Premier League 2 but has clinched two goals and an assist from as many matches.

The eight-cap England U20 international has also found a place on the bench in the Championship on two occasions, though he is still awaiting his first senior showing of the campaign.

His rate of scoring this term surpasses that of Patrick Bamford, with the long-time Leeds player perhaps at a crossroads in his career at the club, and could find that he is left behind as Farke's engine churns forward.

Why Mateo Joseph should replace Patrick Bamford

Bamford has completed 158 appearances for United, scoring 51 goals, and was instrumental in guiding them to the Premier League and cementing a spot in the division, but his past few campaigns have been blighted by injury and a loss of form.

Impressed by the rising star's talent, Leeds' U21 manager Michael Skubala said: "He’s in a good place, he’s scoring goals, he’s a character, but he still needs to keep working hard. His finishing ability is top-drawer. He’s been training like a warrior and you can see that in his game."

Such attributes are glowing examples of why he would succeed under Farke's wing at senior level, and it might indeed be wise to promote him to the first team with regularity in the place of Bamford, whose best days at the outfit might now be behind him.

Bamford has only featured seven times this season, though he was absent for the start of the campaign due to a hamstring injury, but having yet to receive a starting berth and score his first goal, the 30-year-old is looking increasingly expendable, with Joel Piroe and Georginio Rutter both ahead in the pecking order.

The one-cap England international did have the opportunity to put his side ahead several weeks ago against Stoke City in the second tier but skied his penalty over the bar.

Division

Season

Apps

Goals

Assists

Championship

23/24

7

0

0

Premier League

22/23

28

4

2

Premier League

21/22

9

2

2

Premier League

20/21

38

17

8

Championship

19/20

45

16

4

Championship

18/19

23

9

2

*Sourced via Transfermarkt

The £70k-per-week striker still ranks among the top 11% of forwards for interceptions per 90, as per FBref, but it appears that his ship has sailed and his lack of minutes over the past several seasons could inhibit him from cementing a regular starting spot with Leeds once again.

With Joseph's dynamic skills and a prolific edge to perfectly complement the existing forwards, Bamford might find that he is playing his last year at the side, with priority handed to a player who could grow into a first-class phenom in the future.

The 20-year-old boasts 18 goals from just 28 games in the Premier League 2, and while the professional level is a whole other ballpark, he possesses the innate talent to wedge his way into Farke's plans.

Ultimately, the goal at Elland Road is to craft a campaign that will open the door to the top flight once again, and with the endeavours in the Championship confirming the squad's capability of securing a spot either in the automatics or in the play-offs, this is more than attainable.

The crux of Leeds' demise last year stemmed from the lack of stability, the wayward transfer activity, and the absence of cohesion on the pitch; now, Farke has instilled a winning mentality and will look to maintain that into the new year, and indeed beyond.

Bamford has not really contributed to this budding revival and it is hard to imagine that he will play a central role in the 2024/25 Premier League season, should Leeds secure promotion.

With Piroe and Rutter among the Whites' thriving forwards, Joseph would be an excellent addition to complement their talents and serve as an understudy.

The hope now will be to see the exciting prospect start to earn a place in the senior set-up, which could kick off a long and successful partnership.

Chelsea may have already agreed a signing ahead of January with the west Londoners looking like they've closed in on a target.

Pochettino angry after latest Chelsea loss

Just when supporters thought Chelsea may have been turning a corner, manager Mauricio Pochettino watched on from the sidelines as his side succumbed to a 4-1 hammering at Newcastle. Goals from Alexander Isak, Jamaal Lascelles, Joelinton and Anthony Gordon gifted Eddie Howe's side an afternoon to remember at St. James' Park with Chelsea sent crashing right back down to Earth after a previously solid run of form.

The Blues appear to still have a lot of work to do before they're considered among the Premier League's elite sides once again, with Pochettino lambasting his "soft" team after the game.

"Even if Newcastle weren't great, it was an easy win for them to prepare for the Champions League. We had to show that it's going to be difficult for them to play, to win the game and to beat us," said Pochettino on Chelsea's loss to Newcastle.

"But it was really easy in the way that we conceded and the way that we were so soft in every single challenge.

"That's what makes me angry and disappointed. We talk about being a young team and we have to learn, but I think these type of games make me very, very, very, very, very angry because it's about showing your personality and character. OK, we are young as a team, but we cannot lose this type of opportunity to show our best."

Off the field, chairman Todd Boehly and his co-directors are said to be getting busy as they attempt to strengthen Pochettino's options with more signings.

Chelsea reportedly agree Moscardo deal

According to a report by Brazilian journalist Neto, via Vessoni, Corinthians starlet Gabriel Moscardo is on his way to Chelsea after the two clubs agreed a fee of around £23 million. The 18-year-old is seen as a rising star in Brazil, and it will be interesting to see if this report comes to any fruition and backed by sources closer to home in the next few days.

Moscardo is a midfielder with "eye-catching" dribbling ability, with members of the media saying as much about the teenage talent.

"Studious off the pitch, Moscardo seems to have a high footballing IQ on it, too," wrote GOAL journalist Krishan Davis on the teenager.

"As a defensive midfielder, he is predictably astute at reading the game, he passes precisely and he presses and battles tirelessly – a result of his youth but also testament to his stamina.

"His ball-carrying ability is particularly eye-catching, as he is able to progress play with the ball at his feet without discarding his defensive duties. That is undoubtedly an attribute that has led to him catching the eye of Europe's elite."

However, while he is a player of incredible potential, it remains to be seen whether Chelsea view him as one to compete for first team chances or more as one for the future.

Following their shock decision to sack Tony Mowbray, Sunderland's first priority must be finding a new manager and one who can pick up where Mowbray left off to guide the Black Cats towards the play-offs in the Championship.

So far, we've seen the likes of Will Still and Kim Hellberg linked with the Sunderland job, as those at the Stadium of Light continue their search for the next manager in the all-important hot seat.

Whoever arrives will have the almost immediate responsibility of making their mark on the Sunderland side through the January transfer window, which could make or break their season. That said, the Black Cats are reportedly already eyeing a move for one particular La Liga gem.

Sunderland transfer news

Sunderland don't operate with the biggest budget in the Championship, instead often relying on cheap moves or smart loan deals to keep their promotion hopes alive. We've seen the likes of Amad Diallo arrive before becoming a crucial player in a short loan period at Sunderland in what is the perfect example of how wise they can be in the transfer market. Now, they could show off this transfer tactic yet again to welcome a La Liga gem to Wearside.

According to TEAMtalk, Sunderland are eyeing a move to sign Sevilla youngster Musa Drammeh, who is available for a cut-price in January with his contract coming to an end in six months. The Black Cats have already reportedly sent scouts to watch the forward play for Sevilla Atletico – Sevilla's B team – this season and could now strike to land a bargain deal.

Sunderland aren't the only Championship club reportedly interested in Drammeh, however, with Birmingham City also eyeing a January move for the young striker, who is on the verge of a first-team debut at Sevilla.

Drammeh is ready for first-team football

Drammeh's stats show that he is a player ready for first-team football, whether that be for Sevilla or, indeed, another European club. The forward has scored five goals and assisted a further two strikes in 13 appearances for the La Liga side's B team in the current campaign so far. And at 22 years old, Drammeh must start making steps towards bigger and better things.

We saw last season just how much young players can thrive at Sunderland through the success of Diallo. If the Black Cats can now land another young gem in the form of Drammeh, they could finally have a replacement for their former loanee's star power. Heading into the weekend, only Watford and Preston North End have scored fewer goals than Sunderland in the Championship's top ten this season, highlighting just how important it is for them to reinforce their attacking options when the January transfer window opens.

Sunderland could forget Still by appointing EFL boss who plays "similar system"

The Black Cats could poach this exceptional EFL manager to replace Tony Mowbray, forgetting about Will Still instantly if the deal was successful.

ByKelan Sarson Dec 8, 2023

Of course, Sunderland must first find a new manager after Mowbray's dismissal before turning their attention to additions who have the chance to transform things at the Stadium of Light ahead of a key promotion push. Whether Drammeh is part of that push as a new arrival remains to be seen, however.

Newcastle United are back in action tonight, as the Magpies host Borussia Dortmund at St James’ Park in the third fixture of the Champions League group stages.

Eddie Howe’s side were placed as far from the favourites when the lineup for Group E was revealed, with it being dubbed the 2023/24 edition of the ‘ Group of Death’ due to its challenges.

So far, the Geordies have secured a draw with AC Milan and an emphatic 4-1 win over Ligue 1 giants, Paris Saint-Germain, giving Howe’s squad added confidence going into tonight's big fixture.

What is the latest Newcastle team news against Dortmund?

After schooling PSG in their previous fixture in the Champions League, Newcastle will face another big challenge this evening when hosting the in-form Dortmund.

The German outfit remain unbeaten in the Bundesliga from their opening eight games, having won six and drawn two to put them in good stead to give the Magpies a battle.

Their start to the Champions League, however, has been a different story, having claimed just one point from a 0-0 draw against AC Milan, placing them at the bottom of Group E.

Newcastle will hope to take the victory over Dortmund this evening, however they will have to be at their best to do so, with some squad selection decisions to be made by Howe.

The talk of the Magpies’ squad is Sandro Tonali’s pending punishment over betting offences, yet the midfielder is in contention to play against the well-oiled Bundesliga side, albeit with the likes of Sven Botman and Harvey Barnes still sidelined.

Starting as a substitute last weekend, Tonali was joined by Alexander Isak, who came off the bench despite nursing a slight knee problem, opening a potential door for another forward to lead the line from the start tonight.

Should Callum Wilson start against Dortmund?

Howe is lucky to have two impressive goalscorers to rotate between, and despite being in fine form, Callum Wilson could have an argument over his claim to start against Dortmund.

The Englishman, who was once lauded as “clinical” by journalist Chris Waugh, has already scored five goals in the Premier League this season, with his tally added to last time out against Crystal Palace.

Wilson has played just 27 minutes in the Champions League this term, and could be in good stead to claim his first start of the tournament, in a rotation up-front that could cause the opposition added problems.

The £46k-per-week talisman is no stranger to scoring goals, and could be the ideal inclusion into the squad should Howe opt to keep Isak as a substitute and rotate from the side that beat PSG.

In the league this term, the former Bournemouth sensation has a scoring frequency of just 68 minutes, averaging 1.5 shots on target per game, despite only averaging 42 minutes of play per game, via Sofascore.

By fielding a scorer as clinical as Wilson, Howe could deal Dortmund additional blows by unleashing arguably his most prolific hitman on the defence, who have only conceded eight goals in the Bundesliga this season.

Newcastle will have to be at their best in the final third to break down Edin Terzic’s well-structured side, who will be desperate for a win against the Magpies at St James’ Park.

After ten games in which they came painfully close on multiple occasions, Ipswich Town finally won their first Premier League game of the season on Sunday.

Kieran McKenna’s side travelled to the free-scoring Tottenham Hotspur, and instead of being turned over like West Ham United, Everton, and Aston Villa were, they came away looking much the better team.

It’s undoubtedly too early into the campaign to say whether the Tractor Boys will be able to survive or not, but with performances like that in their locker and players like Liam Delap in the squad, anything is possible.

Moreover, it looks like McKenna could have another goalscoring machine in his team soon enough, as recent reports have linked the club with an up-and-coming talent who’s currently outscoring Delap, and by quite some way at that.

Ipswich Town transfer news

According to a recent report from journalist Graeme Bailey, Ipswich are one of several sides interested in Peterborough star Kwame Poku.

Alongside the Tractor Boys, Bailey claims that fellow Premier League side Southampton, Championship outfits Burnley and Millwall and Scottish giants Rangers are also keen on landing the 23-year-old’s services next year.

The story does not mention a potential fee, but as the Ghanaian’s four-year contract expires in the summer, he could be available for a bargain fee in January.

Overall, the number of interested parties could make signing Poku particularly complicated next year, but due to his incredible form and sky-high potential, Ipswich must do what they can to bring him to Portman Road.

Why Kwame Poku could be a Premier League star

So, while it’s notoriously difficult to predict who will be able to make the step up from League One to the Premier League, we feel that there is a very good chance that Poku could be one of the talented few who do.

The reason why? His sensational form in front of goals, both scoring and creating.

In just 17 appearances for the Posh this season, the “huge talent”, as dubbed by former manager John McGreal, has scored ten goals and provided seven assists, meaning he is averaging a goal involvement every game at the moment.

Appearances

17

12

13

Goals

10

6

6

Assists

7

1

1

Goals + Assists per Match

1.00

0.58

0.53

Moreover, the former Colchester United star is currently outscoring Delap and Sammie Szmodics combined this season.

While the Croydon-born winger has reached another level entirely this year, it’s not completely out of the blue, as in 49 appearances last season, he scored 12 goals and provided eight assists, and the campaign before that saw him start to find his footing, with a reasonable haul of six goals and 12 assists in 44 matches.

Unsurprisingly, following his impressive rise from being an influential winger to being practically unplayable, Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony predicted that he’d be a “Premier League star in the future” and that he “will probably cost £30 million” down the line, which feels a little conservative if anything.

Ultimately, with his contract expiring in the summer and his otherworldly rate of return this season, Ipswich must act fast to bring Poku to Portman Road, as he looks more than ready to star in the top flight.

Ipswich loan flop has seen his value soar 123% since leaving

The talented striker just couldn’t get to grips with things at Ipswich.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 13, 2024

Arsenal chiefs are eyeing a winter window move for one very highly-rated Barcelona star, as manager Mikel Arteta looks to reinforce his ranks and give his side the best possible chance of winning an elusive Premier League title.

Arsenal host Crystal Palace in Carabao Cup quarter-final

There is seemingly no rest for the Gunners heading into the Christmas period, with Arsenal set to take on London rivals Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium this evening in a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash.

Arsenal preparing to bid for £60m forward who Guardiola wants at Man City

Arteta could go head-to-head with his former coaching partner.

ByEmilio Galantini Dec 17, 2024

Arsenal couldn’t past Everton last weekend, despite dominating the overall play and creating chances, and were forced to settle for a 0-0 draw in what was viewed as a disappointing result for Arteta in the title race.

Their stalemate against the Toffees extended Arsenal’s run to three league games without a single goal from open play, which could be seen as a real worry, as the home side yet again struggled to break past a side deploying the low-block.

Crystal Palace (away)

December 21

Ipswich Town (home)

December 27

Brentford (away)

January 1

Brighton (away)

January 4

Tottenham (home)

January 15

Arsenal’s approach play cannot be faulted, but there is seemingly an ongoing issue with making it count on a consistent basis.

“The frustrating part is that, watching it back, all the incredible things the team does and still not get rewarded for the three points,” said Arteta on Arsenal’s struggle to bury chances.

“Looking back at other games in the league and our margins were ten times bigger than many other teams that have won that day, but this is football. At the end of the day what we have to do is put the ball in the back of the net, and then we don’t have that issue. What the team is producing and the way the team dominates the game, there is very little to say.”

Domestically, Arteta has been quite reliant on set-piece goals since the start of December, but his side did put Ligue 1 title contenders Monaco to the sword with a 3-0 win over them in the Champions League.

Arsenal express "formal" January interest in signing Raphinha

The January transfer window is looming, and it could pose a solution to Arsenal’s struggles with being more ruthless when it comes to converting opportunities.

According to reports, Arsenal are considering the prospect of signing a fresh attacking option next month, and Barcelona forward Raphinha is being linked with a move to north London.

A Spanish media source claims that Arsenal have expressed a “formal” January interest in signing Raphinha, amid the Brazilian’s exceptional season at the Camp Nou.

The 28-year-old has bagged an incredible 17 goals and 10 assists in 24 appearances across all competitions so far, including six in six Champions League games, so it will be pretty difficult for Arsenal to prise him away from the Camp Nou mid-season – given his importance to Hansi Flick’s cause.

However, they apparently have it in mind, with the £198,000-per-week ex-Leeds United star on their transfer shortlist. Raphinha’s deal expires in 2027, and it is believed the La Liga title contenders won’t let him go for less than £67 million, perhaps even more.

West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui has been handed a Niclas Fullkrug fitness boost, as news from a “club source” has been shared in the last 24 hours.

West Ham striker Niclas Fullkrug absent through injury since September

The £27 million summer signing has scored just once this season, a goal for Germany against Hungary in the UEFA Nations League, and he’s been absent through injury ever since.

Manager approves "surprise" exit for star as West Ham eye move to sign him

The Hammers could sign him in January.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Nov 26, 2024

Fullkrug picked up an Achilles tendon injury on international duty and has been sidelined ever since, with West Ham receiving around £17,000 of compensation from FIFA every day of the 31-year-old’s absence.

The ex-Borussia Dortmund star, who scored 16 goals in all competitions last season, and two at Euro 2024, was brought in by technical director Tim Steidten as the solution to West Ham’s striker shortage going forward.

Arsenal (home)

November 30

Leicester City (away)

December 3

Wolves (home)

December 9

Bournemouth (away)

December 16

Brighton (home)

December 21

Both Michail Antonio (34) and Danny Ings (32) are out of contract in the summer, as they also reach the twilight phase of their careers, but Fullkrug has been unable to showcase his abilities as a prolific striker due to his injury hell.

This has led to reports that Fullkrug could even leave West Ham in January, with Steidten in the market for a new striker, potentially on loan (GiveMeSport).

The Telegraph named West Ham as contenders to sign Brighton starlet Evan Ferguson on a temporary deal in the winter, with the Seagulls green-lighting his January exit so he can accumulate more game time and further his development.

In the meantime, West Ham will be hoping Fullkrug can return to the field as soon as possible and justify his price tag.

“Niclas [Fullkrug] is improving, but he’s still out and is not ready for Newcastle,” said Lopetegui on Fullkrug’s fitness last week.

“We have a little problem with two players, but we have to check tomorrow, and I hope they’re going to be ready for the next challenge on Monday. I hope they’re going to be better tomorrow as they are little things, so we hope we can overcome this problem.

“We’re very happy with Alphonse [Areola]. He’s working well, but let’s see what’s going to happen.”

Lopetegui handed Fullkrug injury boost as West Ham insider shares fresh update

According to club insider Claret & Hugh on Wednesday, Fullkrug is “nearly back” from injury for West Ham, and the report suggests that he could feature on the bench against Arsenal this weekend.

Failing that, the forward could be named on the bench for their following game against Leicester City.

However, there is a caveat, as the outlet also refuses to rule out the possibility of Fullkrug leaving in January – and the club signing a new striker in January will depend on this, not to mention his overall performances once he returns to action.

Other strikers who West Ham have been linked with are Fotis Ioannidis and Vangelis Pavlidis, with the latter Greek international scoring a brace against England at Wembley recently.

West Bromwich Albion will be seeking out their first Championship win in three games when Sheffield United come to town this coming weekend.

The Baggies have fallen victim to far too many draws in the second tier so far, with a staggering ten already accumulated in league action, which has come at the cost of only six wins being notched up.

Still, only two defeats have come their way, with Carlos Corberan at least pleased with how defensively resolute his side can be, even when victories aren’t always collected.

West Brom's defenders this season

Amazingly, Watford – who occupy sixth spot in the Championship currently at the expense of the West Midlands outfit – have conceded double the amount the Baggies have leaked, with West Brom only shipping 12 next to the Hornets’ 24.

The latest draw away at Preston North End could have easily ended in a disappointing loss if it wasn’t for the likes of Kyle Bartley and Mason Holgate at the back, with the imposing centre-back duo winning 11 duels between them come full-time to keep the Lilywhites at bay.

Alongside Bartley and Holgate, both Darnell Furlong and Thorgen Heggem have also been reliable presences down the flanks for Corberan and Co this campaign to date, with both players everpresent members of the first team even when results haven’t always been rosy.

Of course, everyone at the club would want more wins to ensure a playoff spot is achieved, but the ex-Huddersfield Town boss will still be proud of his players for continuing to battle to stave off any unwanted losses.

Even though he will be content with the defensive numbers he has at his disposal, Corberan would be very unlikely to reject this former loan star’s presence if he returned in a theoretical world, with the centre-back in question going on to star at the very top after lining up at the Hawthorns briefly.

West Brom's loan star is now shining

It might well be forgotten about now that Tosin Adarabioyo was once a wide-eyed youngster on loan at the Baggies, with the towering 6 foot 5 gem attempting to make a name for himself away from then-parent club Manchester City in 2018.

Adarabioyo would impress in his new surroundings, going on to make 36 appearances for the club in total and picking up two assists along the way, as his loan employers entered into the Championship playoff picture.

Off the back of this formative stint away from the Etihad, the now 27-year-old would eventually go on to prove himself as a Premier League capable performer at Fulham, before a major move to near neighbours Chelsea then took shape.

Adarabioyo would go on to tally up 132 games at Craven Cottage before leaving for Stamford Bridge, which would lead to football journalist Zach Lowy labelling him as “incredible” and his transfer value would rise too far above the measly amount he was worth when once donning a West Brom kit.

Stat

Adarabioyo

Minutes played

90

Goals scored

1

Touches

105

Accurate passes

97/98 (99%)

Accurate long balls

8/8

Clearances

4

Stats by Sofascore

This summer, the brand new Chelsea number four was worth in the region of £16.5m – according to Transfermarkt – after once having a low £2.8m value next to his name as a youngster at the Hawthorns, which is a mammoth increase of £13.7m or 489%.

Chelsea wouldn’t even have to fork out a single dime to win their man in the end, having purchased him on a free transfer at the expense of the Cottagers, which looks to be a very wise investment when you consider his promising numbers in Europe for the Blues recently.

He would even score against Noah in mid-November, having also impressed with 97 accurate passes registered, as Chelsea fans long for more from their fresh recruit as 2025 comes into view.

Whilst Adarabioyo continues to knock on the door for more first-team minutes at Stamford Bridge, Corberan’s mind will be on steering his team to more wins in the division below, away from his side being stern at the back.

West Brom must axe Albion dud who Bruce thought would be "a massive asset"

West Bromwich Albion could soon be faced with a decision to get rid of this high earner.

1 ByKelan Sarson Dec 3, 2024

Aston Villa are believed to be interested in completing the summer signing of an “outstanding” new attacker who’s scored three times against them in the past.

Aston Villa transfer news

This summer promises to be an exciting one at Villa Park, with likely Champions League qualification giving them a great chance of signing players who can make Unai Emery's squad even more formidable. Atletico Madrid defender Mario Hermoso has been linked with a move to Villa, with a recent report even claiming that he is "close" to securing a switch at the end of the season.

Michael Olise, who continues to stand out as Crystal Palace's brightest young talent, is also catching the eye. The 22-year-old has scored nine goals in just 12 league starts this season, and that tally would likely be far greater if it hadn't been for injuries.

Villarreal attacking midfielder Alex Baena is another rumoured target for the Villans, having enjoyed a brilliant season for the Spaniard outfit, registering 12 assists in 30 La Liga starts in 2023/24 to date, also boasting experience playing under Emery on his CV.

There are some players who could leave Villa in the summer window, however, with Diego Carlos reportedly pushing for an exit, according to a recent update.

Aston Villa eyeing "outstanding" attacker

According to Takvim [via Sport Witness], Aston Villa are keen on signing Wilfried Zaha this summer, but they are facing competition from another Premier League team. West Ham are the club in question, with agent talks and negotiations taking place with both sides over a potential move for the Galatasaray winger.

The Ivorian joined the Turkish side on a free transfer from Crystal Palace last summer, but his time there hasn't necessarily gone to plan, with only 13 league starts coming his way. He has scored nine times, however, and could represent an exciting option for Villa.

At 31, the former Palace and Manchester United man may not be getting any younger, but he knows the Premier League inside out, netting 68 times in the competition overall. The Villans know all about the threat he can pose, having allowed him to score against them three times in the past. Ally McCoist was one of many to heap praise on him during his time at Palace, calling the winger "absolutely outstanding".

Zaha could provide an added spark in the wide areas for Villa, at a time when Emery will be needing to juggle both Premier League and Champions League football, something the Palace legend now has experience in.

Aston Villa looking to sign Watkins partner who'd be perfect on UCL nights

He would be perfect for Watkins and he’s been described as “one of the EPL’s best players”.

ByAngus Sinclair May 9, 2024

Granted, there may be younger options out there, but there is still enough left in the tank for the tricky star to enjoy a number of good years in a Villa shirt.

Leeds United are back in action in the Championship this evening as they travel away from Yorkshire to take on Middlesbrough at the Riverside stadium.

The Whites have the opportunity to move up to second in the division with a win over Boro tonight, as Ipswich Town's clash with Coventry has been rescheduled for later in the week.

Leicester City's win over West Bromwich Albion on Saturday means that Leeds cannot move to the top of the division, but they can put the pressure on their rivals by going into the automatic promotion places.

Daniel Farke's team are chasing a return to the Premier League and a win over Michael Carrick's side would be another step in the right direction.

Leeds have failed to win any of their last three matches in the Championship – the most-recent being a 1-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers – and the German boss may look to make some changes to his starting XI in order to return to winning ways.

One player who must be ruthlessly ditched from the lineup, in order to fire the team back into the automatic places tonight, after an underwhelming display last time out against John Eustace's team is centre-forward Joel Piroe.

Joel Piroe's 3/10 display against Blackburn

LeedsLive reporter Beren Cross handed the attacker a dismal match rating of 3/10 against Rovers after Farke selected the number nine to lead the line ahead of Patrick Bamford and Mateo Joseph.

Piroe was provided with a huge opportunity to prove to the manager that he has what it takes to start for the Whites during the crucial games during the promotion run-in, and any potential play-off games that could be to come.

Instead of grasping his chance with two hands, the Dutch striker – as described by Cross – 'brought nothing' to the attack during his time on the pitch.

Minutes played

90

Goals

0

Shots on target

0

Assists

0

Big chances created

0

Pass accuracy

68%

Duels won

3/7

As you can see in the table above, the left-footed attacker offered very little at the top end of the pitch for Leeds, with zero shots on target and zero 'big chances' created.

Both of his attempted shots were blocked by opposition players, which suggests that his shot selection was poor, and his two key passes created a meagre 0.03 xA, which speaks to the low-quality of chances the forward provided his teammates with.

Overall, Piroe did not have a big impact on the game with his anonymous performance in the final third, which was not a huge surprise given his form of late.

Joel Piroe's season in numbers

The Dutch striker has only scored two goals in his last 17 matches in all competitions for Leeds, and has only scored two open play goals – three including penalties – in 23 games since Christmas.

Analyst Louorns on X claimed that Piroe is "invisible" 90% of the time earlier this season, and his poor statistics – in terms of goals and his all-round contributions on the pitch – back that up.

It has been a barren run for the 24-year-old attacker, who was signed on a permanent deal from league rivals Swansea last summer, and one that does not look likely to change any time soon, given his display against Blackburn last time out.

Alongside his struggles in front of goal, Piroe has also struggled to provide the team with much outside of finishing. He currently ranks 11th in the squad for key passes per game (0.7) – below Ethan Ampadu, Junior Firpo, and Glen Kamara, among others.

The 6 foot 1 dud has also lost 62% of his duels in the Championship this season, including 70% of his aerial battles, and this shows that opposition players find it far too easy to get the better of him.

Despite his height and large frame, defenders have had plenty of joy against Piroe in one-on-one duels to win possession back for Leeds, which is why he is not a reliable outlet for Farke in the number nine position.

Appearances

42

Goals

12

xG

12.45

Big chances missed

8

Assists

3

xA

2.16

As you can see in the table above, the Dutchman has not been completely ineffective in the final third throughout the entire season, as he has still plundered 12 goals from 12.45 xG – only slightly underperforming his expected tally.

However, his current run of form since Christmas and his 3/10 display against Blackburn suggest that Farke should drop him for an alternative option against Boro tonight to give the team the best chance of picking up all three points and returning to the automatic promotion places.

The alternative options to Joel Piroe

The German tactician does have a number of players who could step in to take Piroe's place at the top end of the pitch against Carrick's men on Teeside.

One option could be to move Georginio Rutter into the number nine role, from his usual number ten position, and then bring Dan James or Jaidon Anthony in, which would allow Wilfried Gnonto to play centrally.

The lesser-seen Joe Gelhardt, who has only played eight games in the Championship this season, is also a player with centre-forward experience, but is unlikely to be selected for such a big game given his lack of action so far.

Bamford appears to be the obvious candidate to replace Piroe as the English forward has been trusted by Farke for much of 2024 so far.

Appearances

32

Starts

14

xG

8.61

Goals

7

Big chances missed

8

As you can see in the table above, the former Boro man has been wasteful in front of goal in the Championship this season – underperforming his xG and missing more 'big chances' than he has scored goals.

Another option for Farke could be to unleash Joseph from the start for the first time in the league. The 20-year-old striker has scored one goal in 18 appearances as a substitute.

He also scored two goals in his last start for the first-team against Chelsea in the FA Cup at Stamford Bridge, which is why the gem could be an exciting player to bring in to offer more in the final third than the other options.

Whichever direction the manager decides to go in, dropping Piroe is the first step he must take on the road to firing Leeds back into the top two places tonight, due to the Dutch dud's lack of form in the final third.