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Liverpool forward Ben Doak is set to return to Premier League training by the ‘end of the week’, according to journalist Ian Doyle.

The Lowdown: Unexplained absence

The Scotsman joined the U18s side at Anfield from Celtic last summer and has since worked his way up through the ranks to make a breakthrough into the senior fold.

But in recent weeks, the 17-year-old has been curiously missing from the match-day squad.

The Reds winger took to his social media to reveal that he would be ‘back soon’, hinting that he had sustained an unknown injury, though a positive update on his absence has now emerged.

The Latest: Doak fitness update

Taking to Twitter, Doyle revealed that Doak has indeed been suffering with a small niggle but claimed that he would be back on the grass imminently, whilst also providing welcome news on Diogo Jota.

“Diogo Jota trained with LFC again today as planned as he nears a return to action. Ben Doak, who has been absent from the last three games with a minor muscle problem, is expected to be back in training by the end of the week.”

The Verdict: Boost for Klopp

Doak soon being available for selection again will come as a huge boost to Jurgen Klopp, who will know just how much potential his talented teenager has got.

The Dalry native has posted an impressive 14 goal contributions in 17 appearances for the Reds’ various youth sides and has already made five outings for the first team (Transfermarkt).

Liverpool should be open to giving their younger players a run out given their poor form of late, and Doak has all the right attributes to make a Stefan Bajcetic-esque impact should he be given the nod upon his return.

Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has made clear that Everton are pushing ‘so, so strong’ to convince Marcelo Bielsa to join them.

The Lowdown: Everton must act quickly

The Toffees are still on the hunt for a new manager after a whirlwind few days which have seen Farhad Moshiri sacking Frank Lampard, Bielsa reportedly turning the Toffees down and the club losing out on Arnaut Danjuma despite all but securing a deal.

Football Insider has reported that Bielsa has already turned down the job at Everton, however, other outlets are suggesting that the manager merely has reservations about taking up the role given how slow he considers the squad to be.

It would be arguably a major blow for Everton to miss out on Bielsa as he turned Leeds United into a solid Premier League side during his years at Elland Road, and Moshiri would hope he could rejuvenate what appears to be a stale Everton squad.

The Latest: Bielsa still top of the list

Di Marzio, speaking from Italy on Sky Sports News’ The Transfer Show, believes Bielsa is indeed being pursued by Everton as their primary target despite the ongoing reports about his reservations.

He said: “I don’t know what you know about the [new] Everton coach after Lampard was sacked, but I’m told that they are trying and pushing so, so strong for Marcelo Bielsa.

“I don’t know if Marcelo Bielsa will say, ‘okay, I’m coming back to the Premier League’, but they want Marcelo Bielsa.”

The Verdict: Moshiri should go all in on Bielsa

Bielsa has been hailed as the ‘perfect’ manager for Everton by broadcaster Kweku Afari because of how he improved players such as Kalvin Phillips and Liam Cooper at Leeds.

Given that Everton have financial restrictions and not a lot of money to spend in the transfer window, we think bringing in a coach who can improve players that are underperforming at the club is someone Moshiri must go for.

While Bielsa does appear to come with a lot of non-negotiables including having his own coaching staff and the way he wishes the squad to play, Moshiri must look at his previous failures with managers and finally hand over control to someone like Bielsa to ensure the club avoids the dreaded drop into the Championship, as more drastic structural changes may well be what clicks this Everton side into gear before it is too late.

Aston Villa have been busy during the transfer window so far, signing Jhon Duran and Alex Moreno while also shipping out striker Danny Ings to fellow Premier League side West Ham United and Unai Emery will be aiming to conduct more business over the coming days.

Indeed, another signing could potentially be on the way, this time for Lyon striker Moussa Dembele. News outlet Media Foot claimed in December that Villa were interested in the Frenchman and now talkSPORT have confirmed that Dembele is wanted as a replacement for the recently departed Ings in order to spearhead the Villa attack.

Ings was Villa’s top scorer with seven goals this season and it’s clear that Emery requires someone who could be a lot more clinical than this, and Dembele fits the bill.

His performances at Lyon have seen him labelled as a “scoring machine” by journalist Bertrand Latour previously while he is also statistically similar to Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez and he could be a wonderful addition for Emery.

According to FBref, Nunez is the first-most similar player to Dembele across Europe’s top leagues, and given the Uruguayan’s ability and potential, it isn’t a bad comparison to have.

This season has seen the two players register similar statistics with regard to shots on target percentage (42.1% to 40%), goal-creating actions (two to one), successful dribbles (five to four) and aerial duels won (19 to 16).

Nunez and Dembele excel at finishing and headed attempts, underlining their attacking ability both on the ground and in the air and these attributes could give Villa a major boost as they look to secure a spot in the top half of the league table.

The £52k-per-week striker hasn’t been at the races this season, scoring just twice, however, this rough patch is surely temporary considering he netted a stunning 21 goals in Ligue 1 last term and a fresh start in England may help him rediscover his form.

The 26-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season, therefore Emery could be well placed to secure himself a bargain this month, and with it some well-needed firepower in his Villa side.

The January transfer window is now officially open for business and Sunderland could be busy this month as Kristjaan Speakman attempts to improve the squad.

Tony Mowbray arrived at the Stadium of Light towards the end of the summer window and this means that he has not had much of a chance to stamp his own mark on the side by bringing in his own players.

In spite of the circumstances around his arrival, the ex-Blackburn Rovers boss has led the Black Cats to eighth in the Championship table and in contention to fight for a play-off spot at the end of the season.

Mowbray must now reignite the club’s interest in central defender Dion Sanderson as he could be an excellent signing for the club heading into the second half of the campaign.

Scottish giants Rangers and Birmingham, who currently have the centre-back on loan, are reportedly vying to land him on a permanent deal from Premier League side Wolves and the Black Cats must now throw their hat into the ring.

The Northern Echo reported that Sunderland were keen on a deal to sign Sanderson, on loan or permanently, last summer but he ended up moving to St. Andrew’s but Mowbray must now make another move for the enforcer.

He would be an upgrade on current central defender Bailey Wright and would be an exceptional signing in the immediate term and for the future.

The Australia international has played 13 times in the Championship this season for Sunderland and averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.85. He has made 1.1 tackles and interceptions per match, completed 81% of his attempted passes and won 56% of his individual duels in the second tier.

Sanderson, who former Mackems boss Lee Johnson once dubbed a “Rolls-Royce”, has averaged a score of 6.92 across 24 appearances for Birmingham. The 6 foot 2 colossus has made a whopping 3.1 tackles and interceptions per outing and won 55% of his battles at the back, which shows that he has a similar level of efficiency to Wright but is far more active in cutting out opposition attacks.

His average score also suggests that he has been performing to a higher level than the ex-Bristol City man and that he would be an upgrade on Sunderland’s options in that area of the pitch.

At 23, he is also seven years younger than Wright and would be a signing for the future as well as the here and now. He would suit the approach of signing young players with potential to improve, with the ambition of selling them on for considerable profit further down the line, and Mowbray must now reignite Sunderland’s interest in his services.

Chelsea have endured a topsy-turvy ride this season, and currently perch outside the Premier League top-four after 15 matches, despite a convincing victory over AFC Bournemouth this week.

What’s the word?

With owner Todd Boehly assuming the ownership role from Roman Abramovich earlier this year, funds were injected into the outfit over the summer, but the new era has not quite taken flight, with the Blues losing four out of five matches in the weeks preceding the World Cup in Qatar. 

Romano tweeted:

“Negotiations are progressing to final stages for Benoit Badiashile to join Chelsea, expectation is for the deal to be completed soon for €35/40m (£31/35m) fee.

“There’s an agreement in principle on personal terms with Badiashile, he’s now keen on the move as reported yesterday.”

With a deal ostensibly closing on completion, boss Graham Potter will be eager to slot him straight into the fold, ready to exhibit his refined attributes from the core of Chelsea’s team. 

Rudiger replacement 

With the player eager to move to Stamford Bridge and Chelsea displaying determination to get a deal over the line, the cogs are well-placed to welcome one of Europe’s most vibrant and dynamic centre-backs to the Premier League.

Badiashile is the quintessential modern defender, boasting an imposing physicality and an innate ball-playing ability that will allow his team to have faith in forward transitions being instigated with swift precision from the defensive third.

Making 135 appearances for Monaco since ascending from the youth ranks, the 21-year-old already holds a wealth of experience that belies his tender age.

And having played 11 times in the league this term, Badiashile’s two goals further allude to the all-encompassing aura of his presence, with a regular direct goal threat from the defence a fine tool to wield when seeking success.

With the recent departure of Antonio Rudiger on a free transfer to Real Madrid, Chelsea moved to replace their exemplary defender this summer by signing Wesley Fofana for an initial £70m and Kalidou Koulibaly for £33m – the former has spent much of the campaign injured and the 31-year-old Koulibaly has not reached the heights he did for Napoli.

Rudiger himself boasted plenty of offensive threat and passing pedigree, ranking in the top 4% for goals scored and 7% for attempted passes when compared to positional peers over the past year.

But with the signing of the £35.3m-rated Badiashile, Potter might finally be able to get the Bridge rocking, instilling authority and assurance; a centrepiece to the club’s prospective good fortunes over the coming years. 

As per FBref, the Frenchman ranks within the top 7% of defenders for progressive passes this past year, also within the top 8% for rate of goals – this indeed illustrates the skill set he would bring, going in tandem with Potter’s own fluid philosophy. 

Once lauded as “tenacious” and “complete” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Badiashile would certainly bring a dogged attitude to the side, who could mould him to their own creation over the next several years, ultimately unleashing one of the game’s best defenders around.

Everton have long-term been linked with Boulaye Dia and now a new update has emerged on the club’s pursuit of the player ahead of the January transfer window.

What’s the latest?

According to CBS reporter Ben Jacobs, Everton are “keeping tabs” on Senegal and Salernitana striker Boulaye Dia.

Jacobs tweeted: Boulaye Dia scores Senegal’s first World Cup goal.

“He also has six goals in Serie A for Salernitana, where he’s on-loan from Villarreal. Salernitana have an option to buy for £10m. Leeds, Everton, West Ham and Leicester all keeping tabs on him, too.”

He’s just what Lampard needs

It is no secret that Everton have been struggling in front of goal over their Premier League season so far which can be blamed on the exit of Richarlison in the summer and Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s inability to stay fit. However, it is something that Frank Lampard must address in the upcoming transfer window.

There is no doubt that the powers at Goodison Park spent the summer transfer window aiming to improve the defensive play in the squad with the signing of centre-backs Conor Coady and James Tarkowski as well as two quality midfielders in Idrissa Gana Gueye and Amadou Onana, so the next step is to invest in the attack.

Only Wolverhampton Wanderers have scored fewer goals than the Toffees, so the signing of Dia could be precisely what Lampard needs ahead of the second half of the season.

The 26-year-old striker has scored 58 goals and registered 12 assists in 164 appearances over his career so far with a goal contribution every 153 minutes which is a stable and consistent output that could be hugely valuable to Everton.

Not only that, Dia has been a stand-out performer for Senegal at the World Cup so far scoring his first-ever goal in the prestigious tournament against Qatar on Friday to deliver all three points for the AFCON champions and giving them another opportunity to compete for progression to the knock-out stages.

Over two appearances, the Villarreal-owned goal machine has completed 100% of his long balls and successfully completed 50% of his dribbles, as well as averaging two shots and winning four duels per game, proving he has been an effective presence for Senegal.

With that being said, it remains to be seen as to whether Villarreal will be willing to sell Dia when he returns from his loan with Salernitana or if they will want to keep hold of the player due to his performances for both club and country. However, if Everton could acquire his services in January it could potentially save their season.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will reportedly decide his long-term future during the upcoming World Cup. 

The Lowdown: Uncertainty over Guardiola’s future

The subject of Guardiola’s future has been in question since the start of the season, as his current deal at the Etihad Stadium is set to expire at the end of June.

In May, it was reported that the 51-year-old had been in talks over a potential contract extension with the Citizens until 2025. However, it now appears that some behind-the-scenes details have emerged regarding the manager’s stance on his future.

The Latest: Guardiola to decide his future soon

According to a recent tweet from journalist Jack Gaughan, Guardiola is “expected to” decide what his future with Man City will look like during the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.

Included in the tweet was an article that Gaughan wrote for the Daily Mail, which adds that ‘there are those around the first team who believe they are working for a manager who does not appear ready to wave goodbye’ to the club.

A further line adds that City are ‘planning ahead on the assumption’ that Guardiola will stay.

The Verdict: Fingers crossed for City

Since the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager took charge of City, he has overseen 372 matches with the club across all competitions.

Across that time, City have won 275 games, drawing 43 and losing 54, picking up numerous domestic trophies along the way.

Given how successful Guardiola has been with the club, it would be hard to imagine that any person connected with City wouldn’t want the manager to continue his journey with them and sign a new deal.

With the Premier League set to take a break while the World Cup goes on, it’s safe to say that lots of City fans will have their fingers crossed that Guardiola will come out the other side of it having decided to pledge his future to the English champions.

Korean football journalist Steve Han has shared a potentially big Son Heung-min injury update for Tottenham Hotspur supporters.

The Lowdown: Spurs seal dramatic win…

The Lilywhites came back from 1-0 down in Marseille on Tuesday night to seal a last-gasp 2-1 victory courtesy of second half goals from Clement Lenglet and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

Spurs faced a mountainous task in their final Champions League group game when Chancel Mbemba’s opening goal on the stroke half time put Marseille in the ascendancy. The Premier League side seemed to have it all to do but Lenglet’s leveller inspired real hope, akin to their domestic comeback against Bournemouth at the weekend.

Antonio Conte’s side pushed for the decider, which finally came five minutes into stoppage time as Hojbjerg grabbed their second last-gasp winning goal in the space of four days.

In what was a joyous night for the north Londoners, proceedings were somewhat marred by a head injury to star forward Son.

The Latest: Korean journalist shares potentially big Son update…

However, in some more potential good news for Tottenham after their win, Korean football reporter Han has shared what he knows on the 30-year-old’s condition from Son’s own camp.

Han says that insiders from the winger’s side are ‘cautiously optimistic’ that his injury isn’t as bad as first feared yet and his pain apparently ‘subsided’.

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Son is now awaiting full evaluation in London this morning.

Han explained (via Twitter): “Spurs flew out of Marseille after the game and are now back in London. Son’s camp remains cautiously optimistic that he has avoided the worst, which would be surgery. Pain apparently subsided for him since being taken off as he awaits full evaluation in the morning in London.”

The Verdict: Hopeful update…

Avoiding the worst on Son’s part would be massive, not least due to his importance at Spurs and the looming 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where his native South Korea will be taking part.

The forward’s personal dream of featuring at the tournament could be put in danger depending on the severity of his injury, but judging by this update, it appears hopeful that surgery could be avoided.

Aston Villa are set to ‘hold talks’ with former Arsenal boss Unai Emery over the vacant manager’s role at the Midlands club, according to Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Villa on the search for new manager

Steven Gerrard’s sacking earlier in the week had been coming, with a consistently poor run of results in the Premier League ultimately leading to his demise, amid vocal supporter unrest in recent days and weeks.

Since then, Villa have been linked with several different managers as potential replacements, including Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Frank and Ruben Amorim.

Another name has now seemingly entered the race as NSWE look to nail their next appointment.

The Latest: Emery in the mix

According to Football Insider, Villa are planning to ‘hold talks’ with Emery over taking charge at the club, with the 50-year-old currently in the hot seat at Villarreal.

The Spaniard is described as one of NSWE’s ‘top targets’ to become the new boss in the Midlands, and he is ‘believed to be interested’ in hearing out the Villa owners about the vacancy.

The Verdict: Proven pedigree

Emery has proven himself as a top-class manager for an extended period of time, so the idea of Villa snapping him up has to be considered an exciting one.

While his time at Arsenal proved to be forgettable overall, he has won the Europa League an incredible four times – a feat that no other manager can boast, not even when the UEFA Cup era is included.

Whether or not Emery is genuinely willing to leave a thriving Spanish club for struggling Villa is up for debate, but if the opportunity arises to get him, NSWE should go all-in on a manager who Jurgen Klopp has described as ‘world class’.

Tottenham manager Antonio Conte has shared a four-word injury update on winger Lucas Moura, in a worry for the Lilywhites.

The Lowdown: Lucas’ injury woes…

The Brazilian has hardly featured for Spurs in the Premier League or any competition this season, playing just 12 top-flight minutes in total at the very start of the 2022/23 campaign.

Lucas is currently contending with a calf injury and has been sidelined since mid-August, having last appeared in a Lilywhites jersey against Chelsea nearly two months ago.

As he seeks to build upon his team’s top-four finish last season, Conte needs every option available given the wealth of talent at the disposal of Tottenham’s rivals.

The Latest: Conte shares four-word injury update…

Speaking to BT Sport on Saturday (via Spurs Web), the manager has now shared a four-word update on Lucas’ current condition.

He says that there is a worry surrounding the 30-year-old, who is apparently failing to recover properly, with no timeframe given on a potential return before the World Cup in Qatar next month.

When asked about the South American, Conte succinctly stated: ‘He is not recovering.’

Nice one, Son! Show your love for Heung-min Son with this awesome t-shirt! Click here to buy…

The Verdict: Setback for Spurs…

The forward can be an exciting option to call upon when available, so Spurs supporters could be gutted over this latest news.

As per WhoScored, Lucas averaged Tottenham’s highest rate of successful take-ons per 90 over the 2021/22 campaign with 1.6, which shows his massive ability when fit and firing.

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The very concerning aspect of this update is having no discernible estimation as to when he could return to the fold for Tottenham.

Fixtures are coming around very quickly in the build-up to the World Cup in seven weeks’ time, and as a result, injuries could quite possibly mount over the course of the congested calendar.