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Speaking exclusively to FootballFanCast, Carlton Palmer has suggested Leeds United transfer target Louie Sibley would be a perfect fit for Marcelo Bielsa’s side.

Reports in recent weeks have suggested the Derby County starlet is of interest to Marcelo Bielsa’s side, and that they had joined the race to sign him this month, although a summer move is considered more likely.

The 19-year-old has been a consistent member of Wayne Rooney’s first-team this season in the Championship, making 16 appearances in the competition.

And speaking to FFC, Palmer has suggested that Sibley would be a great acquisition for the future for Leeds, although that they still needed proven quality to go along with it.

He said: “Well, in terms of the way Leeds play, he definitely fits into their system. I think Bielsa will look to youth, but you’ve also got to get experienced players as well. Now, once you’ve done that first season, as you’ve seen with Sheffield United, you’ve got to get that balance between youth and experience.

“He’d be a great signing for the future and I think he’s got a bright future ahead of him. Leeds would take him for the future, but they also need proven quality now to take them to the next level.”

At 19, the attacking midfielder should hardly be expected to come in and shoulder the entire creative burden of Leeds. But, his potential is there for all to see, with plenty of plaudits already.

Speaking after a 3-0 defeat to Manchester United, former Derby boss, Philip Cocu, declared: “He played a great game. He’s a great character — he has a good mentality, he has the desire to win, to play, to find his positioning between the lines. He’s not scared of anybody. It was a pleasure to see him play.”

Able to play as a number ten, or even deeper, Sibley’s got the versatility to really be a perfect fit for whatever system and tactic Bielsa chooses to employ at Elland Road.

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But as Palmer said, it’s important Leeds bring in some experience too to go along with that.

Meanwhile, Leeds are making a foolish mistake over this player…

Manchester City winger Jayden Braaf is continuing to attract interest in the January transfer window and looks set to leave the Citizens, which is a huge blow for Pep Guardiola’s side, as he could’ve followed in the footsteps of Phil Foden.

According to Kicker (via Sport Witness), Bayer Leverkusen are the latest side to register an interest in the 18-year-old, who is also reportedly being targeted by Borussia Dortmund.

It was also reported earlier in the season that the winger was likely to leave the Citizens in January, due to a lack of first-team opportunities under Guardiola.

Since signing for City’s academy from PSV Eindhoven youth in 2018, the winger has established himself as a regular in City’s U23 side, having made 24 appearances, in which he has contributed 12 goals.

The Amsterdam-born winger showed a glimpse of his ability by scoring a superb goal against Rochdale in the EFL trophy in September 2019 but despite his impressive form with the academy sides, he has failed to make a single appearance for City’s senior side in his time with the club.

Unfortunately for City, academy players have struggled to force their way into the first-team in recent years, with only the extremely talented Phil Foden managing to really establish himself as a regular first-team player with the Citizens having come through the academy, whereas the likes of Jadon Sancho and Brahim Diaz have departed after a lack of first-team opportunities.

It certainly seems as if Braaf has the talent to play for Manchester City in the future but as exit rumours continue to grow, it seems more likely that he will become another Sancho, rather than another Foden, who has now contributed 23 goals and 17 assists for the City first-team after starring with the academy sides.

When he was just 17, Braaf won the U’23 Player of the Season award with the Citizens and was invited to train with the first-team following project restart last season, with Guardiola suggesting:

“He’s a young player and I think everyone has to be patient with him.

“He has incredible skills but at the same time there are another six or seven players playing there, so we’ll have to see how his evolution is.”

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However, it seems that Braaf is not willing to wait for his chance in the first-team and considering he has made just two appearances for the U’23s this season, despite being available, a January exit certainly looks to be on the cards.

And, in other news… “95% he will end up at Man City”: Exclusive – Pundit makes bold claim on £108m-rated MCFC target

Celtic are taking a strong interest in bringing Preston North End midfielder Ben Pearson to Parkhead, according to reports.

Pearson on Parkhead radar

The 25-year-old was previously described as “the best No.6 in this league (Championship)” by manager Alex Neil.

From 11 appearances, Pearson has provided just one assist all season, as opposed to last season where he appeared in 38 second-tier domestic matches.

According to well-respected journalist Anthony Joseph, Celtic are keen to secure a pre-contractual agreement for the former England U20 international.

He added that initial contact has been made for Pearson, so it appears Nick Hammond is already planning for the summer transfer window – perhaps his attention would be better focused on January.

Transfer Tavern Verdict

This is a bit of a strange move for Celtic to make. While Pearson could possibly be a good signing – there certainly is no guarantee of that, and a ‘pre contract’ agreement means it is a summer switch for Hammond and the Hoops.

After losing to arch-rivals Rangers yesterday and falling further behind in their pursuit of winning 10-in-a-row, the Hoops will need to invest in the squad heavily to get back to where they belong.

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That being said, Pearson could prove everyone wrong and become a star man for Neil Lennon in the future. Time will tell.

In other news, Celtic receive transfer boost as they aim to bring ‘excellent’ talent to Parkhead this month.

Pundit Kevin Phillips has tipped Premier League side West Ham to sign Rangers left-back Borna Barisic soon.

The Croatian left-back was linked with a move to Leeds United in the summer transfer window and it was reported that the Gers were going to demand more than £8million to part ways with the defender – they are now well-placed to earn a big fee from his potential sale.

Barisic could be a ‘good signing’ for West Ham

Phillips believes that it could actually be the Hammers who sign Barisic from Rangers  – they would have adequate cover for Aaron Cresswell and as a result, they would have some good competition for the left-back spot. The pundit feels that the 28-year-old could be a ‘good move’ for David Moyes’ men.

In an interview with Football Insider, Phillips talked about Rangers’ Barisic and said:

“Cresswell has done pretty well. I think it would be a good signing – obviously you need two good players for every position.

“There’s going to be suspensions, injuries etc. so you need someone capable to come in. He’s younger so it could be a really good move.”

This comes after Football Insider had linked Barisic with a move to the London Stadium and he is one of the left-back options that the Hammers are looking at.

Losing Barisic could be a disaster for Rangers

Barisic has made 15 Premiership appearances this season, picking up four assists and scoring one goal so far. In the group stage of the Europa League, the Croatian had contributed with three assists in six appearances, also adding an assist in the League Cup to take his total to eight. (as per Transfermarkt).

In the 2019/20 league season, Barisic made 22 appearances for the Gers under Steven Gerrard. During that time, he scored twice and assisted eight times.

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This clearly shows that the 28-year-old is an important contributor to goals even from left-back and losing him wouldn’t be a good thing for the Gers at all.

In other news, a Rangers target has talked about links with a move to Ibrox – read more about it here.

Lee Johnson will be fuming with Josh Scowen after the Sunderland midfielder was carried in his side’s victory over Lincoln City, before being substituted through injury on Saturday.

The Black Cats maintained their buoyant start to life under their new head coach to move up to eighth in the League One table thanks to goals from Grant Leadbitter, Jack Diamond and a brace from Charlie Wyke.

An early onslaught brought Sunderland a commanding lead as they reminded the third-tier of their promotion threat, with the play-off positions now firmly within touching distance after Ipswich Town were beaten 2-0 at home by Portsmouth.

Johnson handed Scowen his 13th start in 15 League One appearances for the season at the LNER Stadium, maintaining faith in the Phil Parkinson favourite who played each minute of the former Black Cats boss’ final three games in charge.

But Scowen was unable to demonstrate much quality during his time on the field against Lincoln, as the £720,000-rated midfielder began to wane heavily after a lively first-half performance that saw him provide an important role in Sunderland’s pressing game.

Johnson would have been far from impressed by the 27-year-old’s overall display, before being forced into a second change with the £8,100-per-week lightweight unable to continue following a knock.

Scowen departed the action just after the hour mark having failed to beat his marker with his only attempted dribble of the match, while failing to find the target with his sole shot and failing to produce a key ball from his 15 accurate passes, per SofaScore.

The Wycombe Wanderers product only attempted a total of 17 passes before being replaced by George Dobson, vastly fewer than goalkeeper Lee Burge who found teammates with 22 of his 44 attempts. The 27-year-old also completed more long balls (six) than Scowen attempted (zero).

Johnson further saw Scowen struggle in the duels, with the midfielder winning just three of eight ground battles and one of two aerial contests, while committing two fouls, being dribbled past twice, making no interceptions, blocking no shots and providing only one clearance.

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Scowen was able to win possession in three of his attempted tackles, yet could now see Johnson opt to rest the London-born midfielder for Tuesday night’s clash with AFC Wimbledon at the Stadium of Light regardless of the extent of the knock sustained.

Meanwhile, Sunderland must offload this ace amid takeover speculation.

Lee Charnley must secure a January loan move for Newcastle United midfielder Matty Longstaff amid claims several Championship clubs are keen to secure a deal.

What’s the word?

According to the Chronicle, second-tier sides are lining up at Longstaff’s door eager to acquire the 20-year-old should the Toon decide to let him leave St. James’ Park this winter.

Injuries have thwarted the academy graduate’s bid to establish himself in Steve Bruce’s first-team fold this term, with a thigh issue keeping Longstaff on the sidelines until his season debut in the Magpies’ 2-0 loss at Southampton last month.

A 29-minute cameo outing at St. Mary’s has been Longstaff’s only taste of senior action thus far this term, but he returned to the bench for Newcastle’s last two Premier League matches.

United now face a decision over whether or not to allow the Rotherham-born prospect to leave on loan in the mid-season market with Nottingham Forest ready to rival Derby County for his signature.

As many as seven other Championship clubs are believed to be paying attention to Longstaff’s situation, too, just over a year on from the £4.5m-rated talent making his senior debut with a game-winning strike at home to Manchester United.

Unfulfilled promises

With Longstaff struggling to elbow his way back into Bruce’s plans, Charnley must open negotiations with one or more of the second-tier sides believed to be keen on securing a mid-season deal.

Longstaff has become the victim of unfulfilled promises at St. James’ Park since penning an £18,462-per-week contract in the summer, which he only agreed to after Bruce laid out a vision for the 20-year-old to progress his career on Tyneside.

Bruce again argued that Longstaff could add energy in midfield after his return from injury at the end of October, but Toon fans are yet to see the Magpies product feature frequently.

It’s a situation that only serves to hammer home Neil Warnock’s comments from the summer even more, when the Middlesbrough boss suggested Newcastle take Longstaff for granted amid his contract stand-off.

“Newcastle probably do take him for granted a little bit; most clubs do with the players that come through the system,” he told talkSPORT.

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“He’ll be offered more money elsewhere, and Newcastle are pulling on his heartstrings a little bit because he must love it there. When you’re a Newcastle lad, what could be better than playing in front of those fans? They’re amazing.”

But Longstaff must overlook the potential of playing in front of the Toon fanbase and put his career first by leaving on loan this winter, as only then will he be given the freedom to develop on the pitch and not the training ground.

AND in other news: “Typical Newcastle” – Exclusive: Rob Lee drops fresh £300m takeover claim.

Leeds United were unable to continue their encouraging run of form as they were stopped in their tracks by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening.

Marcelo Bielsa and Frank Lampard went head-to-head for the fifth time and it didn’t disappoint with both Premier League teams firing over 30 shots between them in west London.

But it was the home side that ran out victors, defeating the Yorkshiremen 3-1, though it was no more than what they deserved.

Former Blues striker Patrick Bamford gave United an early lead, but goals from Olivier Giroud, Kurt Zouma and Christian Pulisic mounted heaps of misery on the Argentine by the full-time whistle.

There were several disappointing individual displays across the pitch for the top-flight newcomers but Chelsea’s shut-down of Jack Harrison may have proven to be the major difference.

The 24-year-old, who briefly played with Lampard at New York City in 2016, was lightweight and wasteful, so perhaps it was hardly a surprise to see him hooked by the hour mark.

In the end, even goalkeeper Illan Meslier managed more touches and passes than Harrison.

The Man City loan star also won just 44% of his nine duels, both aerially and on the ground, and failed to deliver a cross from three attempts. From his 39 touches, Harrison even lost possession 11 times and failed to get a shot on target, via SofaScore.

It was a shocking performance all round and undoubtedly, he let Bielsa down as his first-choice and usually dependant winger.

LeedsLive’s chief reporter Beren Cross graded the £45k-per-week star’s performance a five out of ten, and claimed: “Quiet all evening. Much of United’s best stuff came down the right flank and Harrison looked away from the main thrust of the game.”

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That merely reinforces the fact that it was an off-night for the anonymous Harrison.

The €15m-rated (£13.5m) dynamo will have to do a lot better with fixtures against the three United’s, West Ham, Newcastle and Manchester, before Christmas.

AND in other news, Leeds may have unearthed their next Harte in “very good” Thorp Arch sensation…

The future seemed so bright for former Rangers winger Jamie Murphy, after he became Motherwell’s top scorer in European competitions in 2010, a record which still stands to this day, but his injury-riddled career has quickly fallen by the wayside.

What was the word?

Speaking to the Totally Football League Show, as quoted by The Daily Record, Burton Albion boss Nigel Clough singled out the one-time loanee for praise after he scored against Oxford United last season.

“He’s been brilliant,” he said. “When we heard that we might have a small chance of bringing him in, we just did everything we could to get him down here. I think he’s got three in five now or something.

“He’s a game-changing player. We’re extremely lucky to have him in our squad in League One because he’s at least a Championship player and he’s proved that.”

The 31-year-old scored seven goals and supplied two assists in ten games for Clough’s side in a loan spell during the second half of last season.

However, it’s fair to say that Murphy is now a shadow of his former self, as he has been plagued by persistent injury problems over the course of his playing career so far. So, it’s perhaps hardly surprising Rangers sold the forgotten man in the summer, as Ross Wilson sought to clear out some of the deadwood in the summer.

Wilson masterclass

Hibernian FC signed the former Scotland international on an initial loan deal which will become permanent at the end of this season, with Murphy signing a one-year extension as well. It could be argued that it was a stroke of genius from Wilson to get him off the wage bill, as he reportedly received wages worth £16,000-per-week during his ill-fated time at Ibrox.

He scored six times and supplied 13 assists in all competitions for his former club, although his appearances were limited to just 29 games in two and a half years due to injury.

There’s no denying the fact that Murphy was once a talented player, but sadly he has been hampered by injuries, and was unable to make much of an impression under Steven Gerrard, who is hardly short of wide options, as he can call upon the services of Ryan Kent, Brandon Barker, Ianis Hagi, Joe Aribo and Scott Arfield as well. And that’s without even mentioning Jordan Jones, who finds himself in a spot of bother after breaking the pandemic protocols.

In actual fact, his luck has gone from bad to worse, as he has been forced to spend a spell on the sidelines so far this season with a recurring hamstring injury.

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By contrast, Kent has become the club’s first-choice left winger, having made nearly a hundred appearances for the Gers since he first arrived at Ibrox on loan from Premier League giants Liverpool in 2018.

In 14 appearances in the Premiership this season, the 23-year-old has bagged four times and four assists so far, which is an impressive return. Getting rid of the aging injury-plagued veteran has arguably given him the time to shine.

AND in other news, Rangers receive huge injury boost as Leon Balogun survives unscathed against Sierra Leone…

Crystal Palace welcome Leeds United to Selhurst Park in Saturday’s Premier League game showdown as both sides look to bounce back from respective defeats.

Roy Hodgson’s side will hope to get back to winning ways after their away trip to Wolves ended in an embarrassing 2-0 defeat.

The Eagles have won three out of their eight games in all competitions so far and enter this weekend thirteenth in the division, tied with Marcelo Bielsa’s side on 10 points apiece. However, Leeds are ahead of the Eagles on goal difference.

Hodgson will be buoyed by the fact that James McArthur has worked his way back from injury, although Palace will be without Luka Milivojevic, whilst the club captain begins a three-match ban after being sent off in the game against Wolves.

Here at Football FanCast, we’ve predicted how we think Hodgson will set his side up for the clash with the Whites, which sees him make three changes to the team that lost to Wolves.

Vicente Guiata is expected to start Saturday’s Premier League game against Leeds amid fierce competition for places, with Jack Butland spotted in training for the first time since he moved to Selhurst Park from Stoke City.

Christian Benteke made a brief cameo in the 2-0 defeat at Molineux but should stay on the bench, whilst Michy Batshuayi may miss out after failing to find the back of the net in his first five fixtures so far. This means that Jordan Ayew could make another appearance after recovering from coronavirus as he came off the bench against Wolves last week.

Jairo Riedewald is due a rest but is expected to start alongside McArthur, who will most likely replace Milivojevic, with Andros Townsend starting on the right wing.

At the back, Hodgson will have wanted to rotate his centre-backs but injury may force his hand, as there are concerns over Gary Cahill and James Tomkins, whilst left-back Tyrick Mitchell remains a doubt after he took a knock in training.

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Summer signing Eberechi Eze should partner Wilfried Zaha on the left flank, which will see Jeffrey Schlupp drop to the bench after a poor performance at Molineux.

AND in other news, Crystal Palace may forever regret not signing now-Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk… 

West Bromwich Albion have a wealth of riches when it comes to their youth team and they certainly know a promising striker when they see one.

Whilst first-team regulars Dara O’Shea and Nathan Ferguson were breaking the trend being defenders making it at the Baggies, the club have undoubtedly produced more attackers.

Sadio Berahino, Izzy Brown, Chris Wood, Kemar Roofe, Morgan Rogers, Louie Barry are some that have come through the system and gone onto play professionally elsewhere.

Whilst the likes of Rayhaan Tulloch, Jovane Malcolm and Jamie Soule look like a trio of players that could be on the fringes of the senior squad come next year.

But now there’s a new name making a lot of noise right now, and that’s Owen Windsor, who is quietly impressing during a loan spell at League Two outfit Grimsby Town.

The 19-year-old has scored and assisted one goal apiece from two starts whilst also averaging one dribble, shot and key pass per appearance, via WhoScored.

His latest outing at the weekend was particularly eye-catching as he played an instrumental role in the Mariners’ 3-2 victory over Leyton Orient – per SofaScore, Windsor won 50% of his ground duels, won three free-kicks, won a penalty and also recorded one dribble, one shot and one key pass.

Such a display earned him a 7.4 rating, which was the third-highest of any player that featured on the day.

GrimsbyLive claimed the Albion starlet shined and named him as their Man of the Match: “Outstanding performance. For 19 years old, his strength in holding off defenders was incredible, the through ball for Williams was delectable, and of course he created the decisive moment with superb run at the death. Looks a perfect fit in professional football.”

Upon his arrival, Ian Holloway lauded Windsor as a “bull of a number nine” and added: “He’s full of running, absolutely fresh as a daisy and he is going to complement what we already have here.”

That sort of emphatic work-rate surely draws some similarities to former Baggies forward Shane Long, so just maybe, the Midlands outfit have found a gem.

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In Charlie Austin and Kenneth Zohore, Albion have lacked an energetic presence in attack and that’s evidently what Windsor is already bringing so early on in his professional career.

He will be well worth a look after this valuable season-long loan in the EFL.

AND in other news, Controversial EXIT now looking a masterstroke from Dowling…