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According to a recent report from Calcio Mercato (via talkSPORT), Gary Cahill’s future remains deeply uncertain heading into the January transfer window. The former England international currently plays his football at Premier League giants Chelsea and has done so since leaving Bolton Wanderers back in 2012, although a lack of regular game time under Maurizio Sarri this season has called his future at the club into doubt.

Yet reports suggest that Italian giants AC Milan have turned down the chance to sign the 32-year-old, which surely leaves the door open for West Brom manager Darren Moore to make a telling move for the defender, which would go some way to seriously enhancing the Baggies’ Championship promotion hopes.

The Breakdown

Ultimately, the Midlands outfit saw their eight-year spell in the Premier League come to a disastrous and pretty meek end last time round in finishing bottom of the top-flight, leaving new boss Moore with the almighty task of rallying the troops ahead of a Championship promotion.

And, alongside some very shrewd additions in the form of Harvey Barnes and Dwight Gayle, the Baggies are very much in contention given they sit fourth in the table with nine wins from their opening 18 matches, sitting just five points off leaders Norwich City.

However, what may be of some concern to Moore is the fact that his side have shipped more goals (26) than any other team currently sat in the top 15 of the Championship table – and with just one clean sheet in their opening 18 games, their defensive vulnerabilities could prove to be their undoing in the race for the Premier League.

As such, Moore would be wise to bring defensive talent to the Hawthorns in January, and there would be very few players better for the job than Chelsea’s Cahill, who would have a wealth of experience and indeed quality to bring to the Baggies.

The 32-year-old may be struggling under Sarri this time round with just one Premier League appearance to his name, but one mustn’t forget that it was just a matter of years ago in which the Englishman played a key role in Antonio Conte’s title-winning Chelsea team – thus, there remains a great defender in Cahill.

And with two Premier League titles, Champions League and Europa League winners medals, and a while host of other silverware to his name during his illustrious career, he possesses the sort of winning mentality needed in a team battling for promotion – of which West Brom are certainly one.

Thus, with AC Milan seemingly out of the running, and Cahill’s playing chances not improving at Stamford Bridge, Moore must seek to make a move for the defender, which would represent a telling move in West Brom’s bid for promotion this season.

West Brom fans… what do you think? Let us know!

[ad_pod ]Gary Lineker scored 80 times in 138 appearances for Tottenham Hotspur between 1989 and 1992 before leaving to join J1 League outfit Nagoya Grampus Eight.Lineker started his career with Leicester City, before spending one season at Everton ahead of a move to Barcelona following the 1986 World Cup.The forward ended up back in England with Tottenham, and there is no question that he knew how to find the back of the net.A record of 48 goals in 80 games for England is another indication of Lineker’s quality, and he has since become one of the most respected pundits in the sport.It was Lineker’s birthday on Friday, and the Tottenham Twitter account was on hand to pay tribute to the former centre-forward.That led to a number of Tottenham fans sending their best to the now 58-year-old, who is an avid supporter of Leicester.A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

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

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Tottenham climbed to within six points of league leaders Liverpool on Saturday evening, and fans are full of praise for the performance of Dele Alli.

Tottenham cruised past Leicester in a relatively lacklustre Saturday evening clash at the King Power Stadium, as goals from Son Heung-min and Alli were enough to secure all three points.

As if often the case with young attacking players, Alli has been quite inconsistent this season, but the 22 year-old was absolutely phenomenal in the 2-0 win.

Paul Pogba and Man Utd seem to be after Harry Redknapp’s ‘King of the Jungle’ crown! Check out the video below…

Mauricio Pochettino rested Harry Kane with the big clash against Barcelona to come next week, and Alli stepped up in the absence of the usual talisman.

The young England international was gliding across the turf all evening, using his skill, composure on the ball and fantastic vision to terrorise the Leicester back line.

He completed an incredible six take-ons, provided one key pass, made two tackles, two interceptions and of course grabbed the crucial second goal with a stooping header.

You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…

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Fernando Llorente is widely expected to leave Tottenham Hotspur in January, and Leeds United must do all they can to sign the experienced forward.

What’s the word, then?

Llorente joined Tottenham in the summer of 2017 off the back of a 15-goal season with Swansea City.

It has just not happened for the Spaniard in the English capital, however, with a return of just one goal in 18 Premier League appearances not quite what Spurs would have had in mind when they brought him to the club.

Llorente will see his current deal with Tottenham expire at the end of the season, and a return to Athletic Bilbao has been widely mentioned in the Spanish media.

The 33-year-old played under Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa at Bilbao, however, and could be convinced to move to Elland Road in the January transfer window.

The Sun reported that Llorente might be available for £4m next month, and his arrival could be the difference between Leeds earning automatic promotion to the Premier League or making the playoffs.

Is the deal actually possible?

Bielsa would have to play a key role in convincing Llorente to move to Elland Road.

That is not to say that Leeds are not a huge football club, but Llorente would have to be prepared to drop down to the Championship, and perhaps reject an emotional return to Bilbao.

For all of Llorente’s struggles at Tottenham, he has managed close to 200 club goals during his professional career, with 118 of those coming at Bilbao.

Llorente played arguably the best football of his career under Bielsa, and the chance to reunite with the Argentine would surely appeal.

Who are the best away fans in the Championship? Playmaker FC’s Thogden gives his top 10 in the video below…

Leeds are going well in the Championship this season, and have a striker in form with Kemar Roofe earning a lot of plaudits.

Llorente’s arrival could be the difference for Leeds, however, as they chase a return to the top flight of English football.

Shahid Khan and the Fulham board were far from impressed with the club’s start to the season under Slavisa Jokanovic, having invested heavily in a squad they thought could challenge in the Premier League.

Say you took charge of the Cottagers rather than Claudio Ranieri, here’s everything you’d have in store with Football FanCast’s team guide to the Craven Cottage outfit on Football Manager 2019.

The board’s expectations

Investment in the wrong areas over the summer left Fulham in a mess and now all they ask is that you avoid relegation back into the Championship.

The Cottagers played delicious football in the Championship, but that does not mean they want to return there at the first time of asking.

The transfer war chest

Close to £100million was spent over the summer as Jean Michael Seri, Andre Zambo Anguissa and Aleksandar Mitrovic all joined on a permanent basis. Unfortunately, the previous manager’s spending and the excessive debt you inherit will hamper your transfer plans as there is just £3million left in the bank.

Even buying ageing stars whose value has slipped will prove difficult as the wage budget is nearly maxed out on £957,000, leaving just £20k to play with.

Three players to buy

Mathieu Debuchy

Fulham have a number of defenders on their books, but the majority are better suited to a central role. Only Cyrus Christie and Ibrahima Cisse are ideally suited to a wing-back position, but the 24-year-old Guinean lacks crossing, passing, tackling, and in his work off the ball – problem areas for a full-back.

One very well rounded option to bolster the right-back spot, and achievable within the tight budget, is the former Arsenal defender Mathieu Debuchy.

Fair enough, he’s now 32 so he’d only do the job for a few years at most, but the Saint-Etienne star has 15 tackling, 14 marking, 16 bravery, and 15 positioning, making him perfect for a defensive setup.

Miguel Borja

Some of the key men Jokanovic tempted to Craven Cottage included World Cup winner Andre Schurrle and Atletico Madrid’s Luciano Vitetto. The attacking duo possess great quality, even if they’re only on loan, but it means they must be played on the wings, leaving you without a backup for Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Colombian striker Miguel Borja would offer a solid, and cheap, striker to consider for the deputy role with 16 finishing, 15 heading and 13 strength, while only earning £13,000 a week at Brazilian side Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras.

Rasmus Falk

If you want to add to your forward options, 26-year-old Rasmus Falk would be an ideal creative midfielder to pick up.

The Copenhagen star is capable of playing almost anywhere in midfield with a view to push forwards, and as a striker if needs must, with 16 dribbling, 15 technique, and 15 vision.

Watch the video below to check out the hilarious things footballers get up to at Christmas…

Three players to sell

Kevin McDonald

Defensive midfielder Kevin McDonald is fourth in line for the role at Fulham, making the 29-year-old a potential candidate for the chop.

Being valued at £7.25million does the player no favours in sticking around, either, as his departure will considerably add to your transfer budget.

Fabricio

Selling Fabricio would be a wise move to make as the 30-year-old is earning £45,000-a-week while playing the backup role between the sticks.

You also have Marcus Bettinelli lurking in the U23s while he recovers from sprained wrist ligaments, and he would make a superb rotation option upon his return a few weeks into the season.

Stefan Johansen

Stefan Johansen may be capable of playing down the spine of your side, and even on the wings if needed, but the 27-year-old’s best attribute is his stamina.

The midfielder’s other stats are considerably average, with ten finishing, 11 passing, and ten tackling, yet is valued at £9.75million.

It would be worth cashing in on his valuation, even if his £10k wage won’t add much to the budget.

Three for the future

Ryan Sessegnon

Ryan Sessegnon is a star in the first-team either at left-back or left-wing, even if his Premier League season in real life is yet to get off to the same standard he ended the Championship in.

The teenager can go on become a top player, edging on the cusp of greatness, so make sure to build around the Roehampton-born ace.

Timmy Abraham

Timmy Abraham joined Fulham in 2017 from Charlton Athletic’s academy and the forward can become a solid player for your side in years to come.

He will need loan moves to boost his progress outside the U23s, however.

Cody Drameh

Teenage star Cody Drameh has already burst free from the Under 18s to make a name for himself in Mark Pembridge’s U23 squad and will go on to become a top player.

The Lambeth native may not make it as a Premier League great, but you can always cash in on his growing status.

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Bundesliga goal machine Timo Werner would be the ideal striker at Everton, but if Marco Silva wants the German he will have to let Ademola Lookman leave.

What’s the word?

Werner is one of the top strikers in Germany’s first division and would be the ideal addition to Silva’s side, given he would add a pacey forward with the world at his feet to an outfit currently excelling with Brazil sensation Richarlison.

The 22-year-old German has represented his country throughout the youth ranks, and earned his promotion to the senior side in 2017 – going on to make 23 appearances, scoring nine times.

For RB Leipzig, he is their main man with every attack featuring his impact, whether that’s holding the ball for his teammates to overlap or finding the final touch in the box.

So far this season, Werner has netted 10 times in 16 Bundesliga games, seeing his Transfermarkt estimated value soar to £58.5million.

Unfortunately, if Silva has the German in his sights, he will have to accept a star Toffees forward will be heading the other way.

The Playmaker FC squad decided to wind-up some unsuspecting Brazil fans at the Emirates on Saturday night. Watch the hilarious results in the video below…

Lookout for Lookman’s departure

Since Everton snapped up Charlton’s wonderkid Lookman at the start of 2017, the 21-year-old forward has featured in blue 36 times and contributed four goals.

He struggled to earn minutes at Goodison Park initially, however, leading to a loan spell at RB Leipzig for the remainder of last season.

At the Red Bull-owned outfit, the London-born ace excelled – contributing to nine goals in 11 Bundesliga games, including scoring four in his last five outings.

His form earned the respect of the club, who pursued his signature on a permanent basis throughout the summer and manager Ralf Rangnick stated: “We want him back and he wants to come.”

At first, Leipzig bid £12million for the winger, before upping their offer to £22million, before a final effort at £25million plus add-ons.

Everton could return to this interest to lower Werner’s asking price, and Silva should consider Lookman’s departure, as while he has the potential to grow, the German is a proven talent and would solve the Toffees’ major transfer failings.

According to Turkish outlet foto Mac, Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana could be on his way to Fenerbahçe on loan this month, with the potential of making the deal permanent. 

The 30-year-old has made just two starts for Liverpool this season in the Premier League, as new recruits have ousted the England midfielder. Despite their troubles, the arrival of Fabinho and Naby Keïta at Anfield have made it harder for Lallana to impress Jürgen Klopp, not to mention the crop of midfielders already at the club.

The 34-cap international has been plagued by injury in recent years, and has struggled to string a run of games together, and is subsequently very low down the pecking order. The Reds only appear to be going one way now, and Lallana just looks incapable of keeping up with the success that they are having. With the club potentially making more signings this month, that will only cast the midfielder further into the abyss at Liverpool.

Turkish giants Fenerbahçe are a club that could offer Lallana regular playing time, something that he must be craving at the moment. Additionally, if the deal were to become permanent, the Istanbul club will not be afraid to pay a big price. From Liverpool’s perspective, the most they can hope for from Lallana now is a large fee when they sell him, as it seems unlikely that the club will get anything from him on the pitch anymore.

Lallana is a talented player, but there is the growing sense that his time may be up at Liverpool. As much as he may want to stay for the title push, The Reds should see this as a business opportunity.

After an extremely poor first half to the Championship campaign, Gary Rowett was sacked as Stoke City manager yesterday.

The bet365 Stadium hierarchy are now looking for a successor to the 44-year-old with Sam Allardyce just one name currently being linked with the job.

The Breakdown

According to the Daily Mirror, alongside David Moyes, Allardyce is in the running for the seat in the bet365 stadium dugout with Stoke having already made contact with the former England and Everton boss.

From a Stoke supporter’s perspective, Allardyce may not be the dream candidate for the job following Mark Hughes’ final season at the club and years of Tony Pulis at the helm — periods where the football on show was far from entertaining.

That being said, when it comes to gaining promotion and securing safety in English football’s top flight, Allardyce has a strong CV, making him an ideal appointment as far as Stoke’s promotion hopes go.

Albeit they sit 14th in the Championship, only eight points separate Stoke and Derby County who currently occupy the final play-off spot. And with the squad they have with so many games left to play, under a manager like Allardyce, there is no reason why the Potters cannot climb up the table.

If Stoke want to have a chance of returning to the Premier League at the first time of asking unlike the likes of Aston Villa and Middlesbrough, then Allardyce might just be their best bet.

According to Football Insider, four clubs are lining up a loan move for Aston Villa attacker Callum O’Hare. 

The 20-year-old is being pursued by League One pair Burton Albion and Bristol Rovers, as well as League Two’s Exeter and Mansfield.

The England under-20 international is highly regarded by Dean Smith and everyone at Villa, but is yet to break through at Villa Park. He has only made one appearance so far this season, in the FA Cup loss to Swansea, where he played in the midfield. However, given the fact that Villa crashed out of the cup, that could spell the end of O’Hare’s chances of featuring this season.

Therefore, getting exposure to regular football, regardless of what level, will be hugely beneficial to the youngster. Consistent game time is the best way to improve as a player and sharpen your skills, and this is something that will not be happening by sitting in the reserves at Aston Villa.

This will be a great way to prepare O’Hare for next season, where Aston Villa and Smith will hope to mount a serious promotion challenge, should they fail to earn promotion this season. With players like Jack Grealish potentially leaving in the summer, after being embroiled in persistent transfer rumours, the club will need a replacement. O’Hare could be the perfect man for that, someone who is capable of playing anywhere from a central midfielder to striker.

Aston Villa will need to build for the future, and with troubles with FFP, the best way to do that is from within. Giving O’Hare exposure will be the best thing for him and the club.

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Bayern Munich are lining up a £10million bid for British youngster Rabbi Matondo, according to The Sun. He currently plays for Manchester City but has turned down the offer of a new contract.

What’s the word?

Winger Matondo is yet to make a senior appearance for City, but earned his debut for Wales in November, playing 12 minutes in a 1-0 defeat to Albania.

The 18-year-old has set the 20-metre sprint record at City, beating the likes of Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus, and is rated highly by manager Pep Guardiola.

Matondo has been included in first-team training at City but is yet to commit his future to the club, as per The Sun.

A previous article by The Sun claimed that Matondo had snubbed the offer of a new contract, with his current deal set to expire at the end of next season.

Pl>ymaker FC’s Matchday with Max caught up with Jamaica’s women’s team. See what happened when he met the history makers in the video below…

Bayern – who have also been heavily linked with Chelsea youngster Callum Hudson-Odoi, as per Sky Sports News – are subsequently said to be preparing an offer, leaving City with a decision to make as they decide between cashing in or attempting to convince Matondo to stay.

Borussia Monchengladbach, Everton, and Southampton are also credited with an interest, according to The Sun.

Grass can be greener

The Premier League is no longer the be-all-and-end-all for young players.

There is another avenue for youngsters looking to make it and Jadon Sancho has blazed a trail after leaving City to join Borussia Dortmund.

Indeed, the winger has lit up the Bundesliga, scoring six goals and providing seven assists in the German top flight this season – according to Whoscored. He has also won three caps for England.

Matondo, then, is right to consider his options.

City have an embarrassment of riches available to them at first-team level and it is difficult to envisage a clear pathway into Guardiola’s starting XI for young players.

Bayern, meanwhile, are seemingly looking to build for the future, and Matondo could become a key part of that.

City, however, have a key decision to make. One has to accept that £10m for such a young player, with no first-team appearances, could be seen as a fantastic piece of business, but they also run the risk of losing a potentially brilliant player for what could be seen as peanuts a few years down the line.